Question detail
What is the coordination number of a complex ion?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Transition metals (A-level only)
Question
- A. The number of ligands bonded to the central metal ion
- B. The total number of electrons in the d subshell
- C. The charge of the complex ion
- D. The number of oxidation states of the metal
Answer
The number of ligands bonded to the central metal ion
Explanation
The coordination number of a complex ion refers to the number of ligand atoms that are bonded to the central metal ion. This is a key concept in understanding the structure of complex ions.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Ligand Substitution
Students often confuse ligand substitution reactions with simple displacement reactions, failing to recognize that ligands are replaced in complex ions rather than just being displaced.
To clarify ligand substitution, remember that a ligand is a molecule or ion that donates a pair of electrons to a metal ion to form a coordinate bond. In a ligand substitution reaction, one ligand is replaced by another, maintaining the coordination number of the metal ion. For example, in the reaction [Cu(H2O)6]²⁺ + 4Cl⁻ → [CuCl4]²⁻ + 6H2O, the water ligands are replaced by chloride ions.
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