There are two types of pathway for substitution of
ligand
In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule (functional group) that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's elect ...
s in a complex. The ligand dependent pathway is the one whereby the chemical properties of the ligand affect the rate of substitution. Alternatively, there is the
ligand independent pathway
In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule (functional group) that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's electro ...
, which is where the ligand does not have an effect.
This is of vital importance in the world of
inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry deals with synthesis and behavior of inorganic and organometallic compounds. This field covers chemical compounds that are not carbon-based, which are the subjects of organic chemistry. The distinction between the two disci ...
and
complex ions.
References
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Chemical bonding