Step 1: Understanding Synergic Bonding in Metal Carbonyls.
The bonding between a metal atom and a carbon monoxide (carbonyl) ligand is a special type of bonding called synergic bonding. It consists of two components: a sigma (\(\sigma\)) bond and a pi (\(\pi\)) bond.
Step 2: Analyzing Statement I.
This statement describes the formation of the sigma bond. The carbon atom in the CO molecule has a lone pair of electrons. This lone pair is donated into a suitable vacant orbital of the metal atom (which can be a d-orbital, or a hybrid orbital). This forms a standard coordinate covalent bond, which is a \(\sigma\) bond. The direction of electron donation is from the ligand (CO) to the metal (M). So, M \(\leftarrow\) CO. Statement I accurately describes this process. Thus, Statement I is correct.
Step 3: Analyzing Statement II.
This statement describes the formation of the pi bond, also known as back-bonding. The metal atom has filled d-orbitals. The CO ligand has vacant antibonding pi-star (\(\pi\)*) orbitals. A pair of electrons from a filled d-orbital of the metal is donated back into a vacant \(\pi\)* orbital of the CO ligand. This creates a \(\pi\) bond. The direction of electron donation is from the metal (M) to the ligand (CO). So, M \(\rightarrow\) CO. Statement II accurately describes this back-donation. Thus, Statement II is correct.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Both statements correctly describe the two components of synergic bonding in metal carbonyls. The sigma bond strengthens the pi bond and vice-versa, leading to a strong overall M-C bond.
Step 5: Final Answer.
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.