Table 17.4 [ENDORSED]

[Grace Boyd 2F]

For some of the anionic ligands, they have more than one name in table 17.4. Can we use either name, or is one preferred over the other? For example, CN- has both isocyano and cyanido-KN. Should we be prepared to know both names?

[Jasmine Wu 1L]

Hi :)

Both versions would be acceptable- my TA said so. Also, on Dr. Lavelle's class site, there's a file on there called "Naming Coordination Compounds" and it's got those anionic compounds you were talking about on there. On the top of the 2nd page of that document, it says that for the name with a *, that name is used for the class, but Dr. Lavelle will accept both. So, as you mentioned, for CN- both names would work. Check out that document, and I hope it helps!

[Cassandra Mullen 1E]

The k is kappa and the chemical symbol written next to it denotes which atom is linked to the metal atom, just to avoid ambiguity. If you do choose to use this method, you can also underline the element.