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Developing Metals

Coordinate bonding and what makes a ligand

  • 1 thing to know
  • Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on what a coordinate bond is, which atom donates, why methane cannot be a ligand, and how the bond compares with an ordinary covalent one.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Which atom in an ammonia molecule donates the lone pair to a metal ion?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define a coordinate bond.

    Model answer

    It is a covalent bond in which both of the shared electrons come from the same atom.

  2. 2

    Which species supplies both electrons in a metal–ligand bond?

    Model answer

    The ligand supplies both electrons, from a lone pair on its donor atom.

  3. 3

    What does the metal ion contribute to the coordinate bond?

    Model answer

    It provides an empty orbital that accepts the lone pair from the ligand.

  4. 4

    Why are transition metal ions particularly good at accepting lone pairs from ligands?

    Model answer

    They are small and highly charged and have vacant d and s orbitals available to accept electron pairs.

  5. 5

    Once formed, how does a coordinate bond compare with an ordinary covalent bond?

    Model answer

    It is identical, because it is simply a shared pair of electrons and the origin of the pair makes no difference.

  6. 6

    Which atom in an ammonia molecule donates the lone pair to a metal ion?

    Model answer

    The nitrogen atom donates its lone pair.

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