Question

Explain monodentate and ambidentate ligands with example.

Answer 1

Monodentate ligand: A monodentate ligand is one in which a single donor atom shares an electron pair with a central metal ion to create a coordinate bond.

For example: Cl^⊖, OH^⊖ etc.

Ambidentate ligands: The ligands that have two donor atoms and create a coordination bond with the metal ion using the electron pair of either donor atom.

For example:

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{O}\phantom{...................................}\\
|\phantom{...................................}\\
\ce{NO2^{⊖} ≡ M <- N or M <- O - N = O}\phantom{.............................}\\
\backslash\backslash\phantom{..................................}\\
\ce{O}\phantom{................................}\\
\ce{SCN^{⊖} ≡ M <- SCN or M <- NCS}\phantom{.....}
\end{array}\]