Table of Contents
What is a Coordination Compound?
A coordination compound is a chemical compound composed of metal ions and ligands. The metal ions are surrounded by the ligands, which can be either molecules or ions. The ligands can be arranged in a variety of ways, resulting in a variety of coordination compounds.
About Coordination Compounds
A coordination compound is a chemical compound composed of two or more ions held together by coordinate covalent bonds. The ions are usually metallic atoms or molecules. The ligands are typically organic molecules or polyatomic ions. Coordination compounds are held together by a coordinate covalent bond, which is a covalent bond formed by the sharing of a pair of electrons between two atoms. In a coordination compound, one atom (the donor) provides the electrons for the bond and the other atom (the acceptor) accepts them. The donor atom is usually a metal atom or molecule and the acceptor atom is usually an organic molecule or polyatomic ion.
Structure of Coordination Compounds
Coordination compounds are molecules composed of metal ions bound to ligands. Ligands are typically small molecules such as water or ammonia, but can also be other metal ions. The metal ion is the central atom, and the ligands are attached to it via coordinate covalent bonds. In a coordination compound, the metal ion is usually surrounded by six ligands, but can have more or fewer depending on the structure of the molecule.
Coordination Compounds in Nature
- In nature, coordination compounds can be found in many different forms. For example, they can be found in minerals, such as in the mineral halite, which is made up of a coordination compound of sodium and chlorine. Coordination compounds can also be found in proteins, such as hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood.
- In general, coordination compounds are formed when a metal ion (the central ion) forms bonds with a number of other ions or molecules (the ligands). The metal ion can be surrounded by one, two, or three ligands, depending on the type of coordination compound. There are many different types of coordination compounds, but they all share a few common characteristics.
- First, coordination compounds are usually very stable. This is because the metal ion is surrounded by a stable electron cloud, which helps to protect it from reacting with other molecules. Second, coordination compounds usually have a very distinct geometry. This is because the ligands are usually arranged around the metal ion in a specific way. Finally, coordination compounds often have very different properties than the individual ions or molecules that make them up. This is because the different ligands can affect the way the metal ion behaves.
Coordination Compounds in Industry
Coordination compounds are used extensively in industry. The most common use is in water treatment. In water treatment, coordination compounds are used to remove pollutants. Another common use is in the production of metals. In the production of metals, coordination compounds are used to dissolve the metal and to coat the metal with a protective layer.
Characteristics of Coordination Compounds
The oxidation states of the atoms in a coordination compound are usually different from the oxidation states of the atoms in the molecules or ions from which the coordination compound is formed.
- A coordination compound usually has a complex geometry, with the central atom surrounded by a number of coordinating ligands.
- The coordination compound usually has a characteristic color, due to the presence of metal ions.
- The coordination compound usually has a characteristic smell, due to the presence of metal ions.
Example of Coordination Compounds
The following are examples of coordination compounds:
- CuSO 4
- ZnCl 2
- AlCl 3
- FeCl 3
These compounds are all composed of metal ions bound to ligands. In each case, the metal ion is coordinated to more than one ligand.
