The rules include listing the central atom first, followed by ligands in alphabetical order, regardless of their charge. Polydentate ligands are alphabetically listed, and ligand abbreviations are ordered based on the first letter. The entire coordination entity’s formula, whether charged or not, is enclosed in square brackets, and charges are indicated outside.
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The rules for writing formulas of mononuclear coordination entities are as follows:
List the central atom first.
Alphabetically list the ligands.
Include polydentate ligands alphabetically.
Enclose the entire coordination entity’s formula in square brackets.
Use parentheses for polyatomic ligands.
Omit spaces between ligands and the central metal.
Indicate the charge outside the square brackets for charged entities, with the number before the sign.
For example, [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ or [CuCl₂(en)₂]. These rules ensure a standardized and clear representation of mononuclear coordination entities in coordination chemistry.