1
Question
Why H2O acts as unidentate molecule even though oxygen atom has 2 lone pair of electrons ?
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Solution
The explanation is as follows.
In H2O, both lone pairs are on the oxygen. There would be only one binding site between H2O and the central metal. So it is a monodentate.
Also, water is too small to form two bonds to a TM center, especially since both lone pairs are on the same O atom. Polydentate ligans form their multiple coordination bods through lone pairs on different atoms in their structure.
Hope it answers your question.
All the best!
In H2O, both lone pairs are on the oxygen. There would be only one binding site between H2O and the central metal. So it is a monodentate.
Also, water is too small to form two bonds to a TM center, especially since both lone pairs are on the same O atom. Polydentate ligans form their multiple coordination bods through lone pairs on different atoms in their structure.
Hope it answers your question.
All the best!
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