- 2069 Poush
Define ligand with example
Short answer
A ligand is an ion or molecule that donates a lone pair of electrons to a central metal atom/ion by a coordinate bond to form a complex. For example, in [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺, NH₃ molecules are ligands.
Define the term ligand with an example.
A ligand is an ion or molecule that has at least one lone pair of electrons and donates it to a central metal atom/ion by a coordinate bond to form a complex.
Ligands may be neutral (NH₃, H₂O, CO), anionic (Cl⁻, CN⁻, OH⁻) or rarely cationic (NO⁺). They are classified as monodentate (NH₃), bidentate (en, oxalate) and polydentate (EDTA).
Example: in [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺, the four NH₃ molecules are the ligands donating lone pairs to Cu²⁺.
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