With contribution by numerous experts

There exists a large literature on the spectroscopic properties of copper(II) com- 9 pounds. This is due to the simplicity of the d electron configuration, the wide variety of stereochemistries that copper(II) compounds can adopt, and the f- xional geometric behavior that they sometimes exhibit [1]. The electronic and geometric properties of a molecule are inexorably linked and this is especially true with six-coordinate copper(II) compounds which are subject to a Jahn-T- ler effect.However,the spectral-structural correlations that are sometimes d- wn must often be viewed with caution as the information contained in a typical solution UV-Vis absorption spectrum of a copper(II) compound is limited. Meaningful spectral-structural correlations can be obtained in a related series of compounds where detailed spectroscopic data is available. In the fol- 4– lowing sections two such series are examined; the six-coordinate CuF and 6 2+ Cu(H O) ions doped as impurities in single crystal hosts.Using low tempera- 2 6 ture polarized optical spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance, a very detailed picture can be drawn about the geometry of these ions in both their ground and excited electronic states. We then compare the spectrosco- cally determined structural data with that obtained from X-ray diffraction or EXAFS measurements.

Transition metal and rare earth compounds are investigated intensively because of important questions concerning fundamental research problems. More recently also their enormous potential for the development of new materials for photophysical and photochemical applications has been explored. Thus, it is important to focus on a deeper understanding of the elctronic energies, transition prohabilities, intermolecular interactions, etc.. This task has been accomplished by leading researchers in the field. They present introductions into, but also detailed reviews of the current state of knowledge of three different subjects.

Transition metal and rare earth compounds are investigated intensively because of important questions concerning fundamental research problems. More recently also their enormous potential for the development of new materials for photophysical and photochemical applications has been explored. Thus, it is important to focus on a deeper understanding of the elctronic energies, transition prohabilities, intermolecular interactions, etc.. This task has been accomplished by leading researchers in the field. They present introductions into, but also detailed reviews of the current state of knowledge of three different subjects.

Transition metal and rare earth compounds are investigated intensively because of important questions concerning fundamental research problems. More recently also their enormous potential for the development of new materials for photophysical and photochemical applications has been explored. Thus, it is important to focus on a deeper understanding of the elctronic energies, transition prohabilities, intermolecular interactions, etc.. This task has been accomplished by leading researchers in the field. They present introductions into, but also detailed reviews of the current state of knowledge of three different subjects.