This module is concerned with aspects of the structure of coordination complexes, examples of which are given below.
Examples:
[Zn(NH
3)
4]
2+,
[Cr(H
2O)
6]
3+, [CuCl
2]
–, [Pt(NH
3)
2Cl
2]
On completion of the module you should be able to
- describe the nature of the bond between the ligand and the metal (metal ion)
- recognise that. for a species to act as a ligand, it must have a non-bonding electron pair at one atom
- deduce the oxidation number (state) of the central metal from the formula for the complex
- recognize that some ligands can the polydentate (attach to the metal at more than one site)
- deduce the coordination number at the central metal for complexes including those that have polydentate ligands
- deduce the geometry of the complex from the coordination number