The “Coloring Problem” in Solids: How It Affects Structure, Composition and Properties

The “coloring problem,” as applied to the field of solid state chemistry, addresses the issues of structural preference as well as the distribution of different elements within a given structure. Both the connectivity and arrangement of elements in a solid affect physical and chemical properties, so a clear understanding of the forces controlling how elements will arrange themselves in a solid state structure creates the ability to predict structure-composition-property relationships. There are two fundamental energetic contributions that influence how elements in a structure order: the site energy and the bond energy. This review examines how these two parts of the total electronic energy work together to influence the observed structures, compositions, and properties of intermetallics and transition metal cluster compounds.