2 Complex formation

Complex formation complex :is a central metal ion surrounded by ligands. ligand.: An atom, ion or molecule which can donate a lone electron pair. Co-ordinate bonding is involved in complex formation. Co-ordinate bonding is when the shared pair of electrons in the covalent bond come from only one of the bonding atoms. Co-ordination number: The number of co-ordinate bonds formed to a central metal ion. Cu OH2 OH2 H2O H2O OH2 OH2 2+ Ligands can be monodentate (e.g. H2O, NH3 and Cl- ) which can form one coordinate bond per ligand or bidentate (e.g. NH2CH2CH2NH2 and ethanedioate ion C2O4 2- ) which have two atoms with lone pairs and can form two coordinate bonds per ligand or multidentate (e.g. EDTA4- which can form six coordinate bonds per ligand)