Question

What is Flexidentate ligand? Give examples with structures.

Answer 1

Flexidendate ligand:

• There are many ligands which have more than one donor atoms (polydentate ligands).
• When these ligands get coordinated to the metal atom or ion, they give rise to the formation of two types of complex compounds.
• In one type, they get linked to the metal atom through one donor atom only while in the formation of another type of the complex compound, they get coordinated to the metal atom through both of its donor atoms.

Examples of flexidendate ligand:

• Sulfate ion $\left({\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}\right)$: In this ion, both negatively-charged $\mathrm{O}-$atoms are donor atoms.
• The structure of the sulfate ion is shown below in the image.

• Carbonate ion $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_3^{2-}\right)$: In this ion, both negatively-charged $\mathrm{O}-$atoms are donor atoms.
• The structure of the carbonate ion is shown below in the image.