Anionic ligands end in “-o,” neutral and cationic ligands have the same name, except for aqua (H₂O), ammine (NH₃), carbonyl (CO), and nitrosyl (NO). These ligands are enclosed in brackets while writing the formula of the coordination entity.
What are the suffixes used for the names of anionic, neutral, and cationic ligands in coordination compounds?
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In coordination compounds, suffixes used for the names of ligands are:
1. Anionic Ligands: Names end in “-o.” For example, chloride becomes chloro, and nitrate becomes nitrato.
2. Neutral Ligands: Many retain their common names, but specific suffixes are used for a few, such as H₂O (aqua), NH₃ (ammine), CO (carbonyl), and NO (nitrosyl).
3. Cationic Ligands: The names of cationic ligands are the same as neutral ligands, except for specific suffixes.
These suffixes help maintain a systematic nomenclature for ligands in coordination compounds, facilitating clear and consistent communication.