Question

The coordination number of a central metal atom in a complex is determined by :

• A. the number of only anionic ligands bonded to the metal ion.
• B. the number of monodentate ligands around a metal ion bonded by pi-bonds.
• C. the number of monodentate ligands around a metal ion bonded by $\sigma$ and pi-bonds both.
• D. the number of monodentate ligands around a metal ion bonded by $\sigma -bonds$.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

the number of monodentate ligands around a metal ion bonded by $\sigma -bonds$.

Coordination number is the maximum covalency shown by a metal or metal ion. lt is the maximum number of ligands attached to the metal by sigma bonds or coordinate bonds.

Here, the ligand is monodentate and attached to the metal via sigma bond.