Question

Is CN A Bidentate Ligand?

Answer 1

Bidentate ligands: Bidentate ligands are Lewis bases that donate two ("bi") pairs of electrons to a metal atom. Bidentate ligands are often referred to as chelating ligands because they can "grab" a metal atom at two locations.

Cyanide (CN): Cyanide is a chemical compound containing the C≡N functional group.

• This group, known as a cyano group, is made up of a carbon atom that is three times bonded to a nitrogen atom.
• In inorganic cyanides, the cyanide group is present as the anion CN⁻.
• A family of coordination compounds, usually composed only of cyanide ligands, are cyanometalates or cyanometalates.
• They are mainly ions.
• Cyanide is an extremely simple and narrow ligand, so the coordination region of metal ions is easily saturated.
• Hence, CN is not a Bidentate Ligand.