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Developing Metals

Shapes of complexes and coordination number

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on why coordination number is not always the ligand count, and the shapes and bond angles for four and six coordination.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why is the coordination number not always the number of ligands, what is the bond angle in a tetrahedral complex, and what shape does a 6-coordinate complex adopt?

Key term

Deduce the coordination number of [Fe(C₂O₄)₃]³⁻.

Key term

Deduce the coordination number and shape of [Cr(H₂O)₄Cl₂]⁺.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define the term coordination number.

    Model answer

    It is the number of coordinate bonds formed between the ligands and the central metal ion.

  2. 2

    Why is the coordination number not always the same as the number of ligands?

    Model answer

    A bidentate or polydentate ligand forms more than one coordinate bond, so it contributes more than one to the coordination number.

  3. 3

    Which two shapes are possible for a complex with coordination number 4?

    Model answer

    They are tetrahedral and square planar.

  4. 4

    What is the bond angle in a tetrahedral complex?

    Model answer

    The bond angle is 109.5°.

  5. 5

    What are the bond angles in a square planar complex?

    Model answer

    All four ligands lie in one plane, with 90° between neighbouring ligands and 180° across the square.

  6. 6

    What shape does a complex with coordination number 6 adopt?

    Model answer

    Every 6-coordinate complex is octahedral.

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