I keep getting “Ligands & coordination number” questions wrong in Coordination Compounds. What's the trap?
counting ligand molecules instead of donor atoms (a bidentate ligand donates twice).
The usual trap: counting ligand molecules instead of donor atoms (a bidentate ligand donates twice). How to avoid it: count donor atoms, not molecules, for the coordination number. Go back to the definition — ligands are electron-pair donors bonded to a central metal ion; the coordination number is how many donor atoms attach to it.
Key point
Ligands & coordination number
Common mistake
counting ligand molecules instead of donor atoms (a bidentate ligand donates twice).
Memory tip
count donor atoms, not molecules, for the coordination number.
Tap to watch or see it right here — the app stays open (it only opens a quick search if nothing embeddable is found).