Q46 P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

What electronic feature must a donor atom of a ligand have?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Donor atoms of ligands have to have excess lone pairs they can use to bond with the metal.

Step 1: Definition of Coordination Compound

A coordination complex consists of a central atom or ion, which is typically metallic and is named the coordination centre, and a surrounding array of bound molecules or ions, that are successively referred to as ligands or complexing agents.

Step 2: Solve the given statements

Ligands have donor atoms which attach to the metal Ligands act as lewis bases, attaching to the lewis acids, therefore they have to have excess lone pairs in the donor atom that can be used to form a bond with the metal.

So,

Donor atoms of ligands have to have excess lone pairs they can use to bond with the metal.