What term is used to describe the number of nearest neighbors?
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Solution
Coordination number:
“The coordination number (C.N.) of a metal ion in a complex can be defined as the number of ligand donor atoms to which the metal is directly bonded.”
For example, in, the coordination number is.
Nearest neighbors:
In a coordination complex, the nearest neighbors to the central metal are ligands.
The number of ligands or the nearest neighbors is given by the term ‘coordination number’.
For example, In , four carbonyl ligands are bonded to atom. Hence, the coordination number of in is four. Thus, carbonyls are nearest neighbors of Nickel metal atom.