Polydentate

[William Lan 2l]

How do you tell if something is polydentate vs. monodentate?

[sandros]

I think we have to memorize which ligands are polydentates and the # of bonds they can make with the TM. Take a look at table 17.4 there are a few we have to memorize I guess.

[Rithik Kumar 3E]

You can also draw out the Lewis structure of the molecule in question. After creating the proper structure, you should identify those atoms with a lone pair. These atoms will be able to form a bond and thereby can be monodentate (if only one of these atoms are present) or polydentate (if multiple of these atoms are present). I think we also have to keep in mind that there should be a proper amount of distance between these atoms so as to allow them to bind. In addition, atoms with a lone pair and a formal charge of (-1), as is for Nitrogen in many cases, indicate possible areas for binding.

[Leah Thomas 2E]

Also I think for a molecule to be polydentates can also be chelates that are a ring structure created between atoms that must include the central atoms so be careful of those type of problems as well.