Ambidentate ligands, like NO₂⁻ and SCN⁻ ions, have two different donor atoms. NO₂⁻ can coordinate through nitrogen or oxygen, while SCN⁻ can coordinate through sulfur or nitrogen, offering flexibility in metal binding.
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Ambidentate ligands are ligands that can bind to a metal ion through two different atoms but not simultaneously. Examples include:
NO₂⁻ (Nitrite): It can coordinate through either the nitrogen or oxygen atom, forming two different isomeric complexes.
SCN⁻ (Thiocyanate): It can coordinate through either the sulfur or nitrogen atom, leading to distinct coordination isomers.
These ligands provide flexibility in coordination chemistry, and the choice of binding atom influences the overall structure and properties of the coordination complex. Ambidentate ligands play a crucial role in isomerism and offer diverse coordination possibilities in transition metal complexes.