The central atom/ion is the one to which a fixed number of ions/groups are bound in a definite geometric arrangement. Examples are Ni²⁺ in [NiCl₂(H₂O)₄], Co³⁺ in [CoCl(NH₃)₅]²⁺, and Fe³⁺ in [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻, also referred to as Lewis acids.
Define the central atom/ion in a coordination entity and give examples of central atoms/ions.
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The central atom/ion in a coordination entity is the specific atom or ion to which a fixed number of ions or molecules (ligands) are directly bonded in a defined geometric arrangement. Examples include:
[NiCl₂(H₂O)₄]: Central atom – Nickel (Ni²⁺).
[CoCl(NH₃)₅]²⁺: Central ion – Cobalt (Co³⁺).
[Fe(CN)₆]³⁻: Central atom – Iron (Fe³⁺).
In these examples, nickel, cobalt, and iron act as the central atoms or ions, each forming coordination entities with a specific number and type of ligands, influencing the overall properties and reactivity of the coordination compound.