Question

Which among the following is an ambidentate ligand?

Options

• \[\begin{array}{cc}
  \ce{COO-}\\
  |\phantom{.....}\\
  \ce{COO-}
  \end{array}\]

• \[\ce{NO^-_2}\]

• \[\begin{array}{cc}
  \ce{\overset{\bullet\bullet}{N}H3}
  \end{array}\]

• H₂O

Answer 1

\[\ce{NO^-_2}\]

Explanation:

\[\ce{NO^-_2}\] is an ambidentate ligand. Ligand, which has two different donor atoms and either of the two ligands in the complex is called ambidentate ligand.

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{...........}\ce{O}\\
\phantom{........}/\\
\ce{\underset{\text{Nitro-N}}{M ← N}}\\
\phantom{..........}\backslash \backslash\\
\phantom{............}\ce{O}
\end{array}\]

\[\ce{\underset{\text{Nitrito-O}}{M ← O - N = O}}\]

In \[\ce{NO^-_2}\] ion can coordinate either through nitrogen or through oxygen to a central metal atom/ion.