Transition element ions can form complexes which consist of a central metal ion and ligands
A ligand is a molecule or ion that forms a co-ordinate bond with a transition metal by donating a pair of electrons to the bond
This is the definition of a Lewis base - electron pair donor
This means ligands have a negative charge or a lone pair of electrons capable of being donated
This definition may seem familiar: a ligand is the same as a nucleophile
Different ligands can form different numbers of dative bonds to the central metal ion in a complex
Some ligands can form one dative bond to the central metal ion
Other ligands can form two dative bonds, and some can form multiple dative bonds
Co-ordination number is number of co-ordinate bonds to the central metal atom or ion
Common Ligands
Water molecules frequently act as ligands. Each water molecule makes a single bond with the metal ion using one of the lone pairs on the oxygen atom
The lone pair is donated to the partially filled d-subshell of the transition metal ion
Table showing Examples of Common Monodentate Ligands
Representing complex ions
Square brackets are used to group together the ligands and metal ion in a representation of the geometrical arrangement
The overall charge on the complex ion is the sum of the oxidation states of all the species present
If the ligands are neutral then the overall charge will be the same as the oxidation state of the metal ion
Examples of complexes with monodentate ligands
Naming complexes
Complexes are named in the following way
If the overall ion is a cation then the nomenclature is:
Prefix for number of ligands/ligand name/element/oxidation number
The prefixes are the same ones used in organic chemistry: di, tetra, hexa for 2, 4 & 6 respectively (3 & 5 are rarely encountered except in mixed ligand complexes)
If the overall ion is an anion, the name of element is modified to have the name ending 'ate' and sometimes Latin word stems are used
tetrachlorcuprate(II)
hexaaquairon(II)
hexaamminecobalt(II)
tetracyanonickelate(II)Using the examples in the illustration above, the names are:
Notice in these examples that
cuprate( Latin - cuprum) and nickelate are used in place of copper and nickel as they are anions
Ammonia takes the prefix ammine as a ligand, which is spelt with a double 'm' unlike the functional group amine