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Understanding Denticity of Ligands - Monodentate to Hexadentate Ligands

Last Updated on Jul 31, 2023
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Understanding Denticity of Ligands

Denticity refers to the number of electron pairs a ligand shares with a metal ion or atom. Ligands can be classified into two types: monodentate and polydentate, based on the number of donor atoms they can attach to a metal atom or ion.

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Monodentate Ligands

Monodentate ligands are those that share an electron pair from a single donor atom with a metal ion or atom. Here are some common examples of monodentate ligands:

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Bidentate Ligands

Bidentate ligands have two donor atoms that can attach to a metal ion or atom. They form either a 5- or 6-membered ring with the metal ion. Here are some examples of bidentate ligands:

Tridentate Ligands

Tridentate ligands are capable of attaching three donor atoms to a single metal ion or atom. Here are some examples:

Tetradentate Ligands

Tetradentate ligands have four donor atoms that can attach to a single metal ion or atom. Here are some examples:

Pentadentate Ligands

Pentadentate ligands can attach five donor atoms to a single metal ion or atom. Here are some examples:

Hexadentate Ligands

Hexadentate ligands can attach six donor atoms to a single metal ion or atom. Here are some examples:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Denticity of a ligand is the no. of lone pairs donated to the central metal atom or ion by a ligand atom or molecule. Ligands can be classified as monodentate and polydentate ligands depending upon the number of ligand donor atoms that attach to the metal atom or ion.

The denticity of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) is six.

The denticity of oxalate ligand is two. It is a bidentate ligand.

The denticity of ethylenediamine is two. It is a bidentate ligand.

Bipyridine is a neutral ligand having a density of two.
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