The chemistry department at Oxford University has made some in depth virtual labs to explore chemical principles. This lab explores transition metal complexes using the example of Nickel.

http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/vrchemistry/nickel/default.html

Go through each of the 4 parts: Geometry, Preparation, Quantitative Analysis and Magnetic moments.

Then answer these questions in your own words:

1. What factors might affect the shape of a complex?
2. Read over the steps to prepare some of these complexes. Make a hypothesis about why some of the steps are used, and explain it here.
3. Write out the electron configuration of Ni²⁺.
4. Now draw out the low spin electron configuration of Ni²⁺.