Alphabetizing Ligands

[Rachel Caprini 1E]

The rule states that you should list your ligands in alphabetical order in the long name and write them in alphabetical order in the chemical formula, so why do some compounds ignore this rule (i.e., [Cr(F)3(I)(H2O)2], Li[Ni(CN)3(en)(NH3) and [FeCl3(H2O)3]-)?

[vsyacoubian2A]

I don't think there is a particular order for writing ligands in a chemical formula. Formulas don't follow the alphabetical rule.

[Chem_Mod]

The IUPAC rule is to write the ligands in alphabetical order unless certain ligands are being emphasized. For example, anionic ligands are sometimes put before neutral ones.

[Tara_Hekmati_3B]

I understand this rule, but for ligands with names that don't match their formulas like ammine and ethylenediamine, do you put the coordination compound formula in alphabetical order based on the name of the ligand or it's formula?

[Katherine_Zhuo_3B]

For the formula, as long as you put the transition metal first, the ligands can be put in any order following the metal.