Coordination number

[Priscilla Okaiteye]

Can someone just briefly explain to me what the coordination number is and how to find it?

[Priscilla Okaiteye]

...and maybe also show an example?

[Jocelyn Fermin1J]

The number of atoms attached to the central atom, this does not include lone pairs. double bonds and triple bonds only count as 1 for example

SO2 coordination number=2

[Luis Torres 1C]

As stated above, the coordination number indicates the number of atoms that surround the central atom. To add to that answer, these 'non-central' atoms are called ligands

[ErinKim1I]

Just to add, coordination number typically applies to compounds with a transition metal as the central atom, so it isn't likely that you would encounter a double or triple bond in the first place.

[Anthony Mercado 1K]

While I understand that the coordination number denotes the number of ligands attached to a central atom, what importance does this serve to discover any further aspects of the molecule involved?

[Jennifer Lathrop 1F]

Can the term coordination number apply to all molecules? or only some?

[705137650]

the number of atoms or ions immediately surrounding a central atom in a complex or crystal.

[Dana Wilks 3I]

The number of atoms attached to the central atom, this does not include lone pairs. double bonds and triple bonds only count as 1 for example

SO2 coordination number=2

Like Jocelyn said, it does not include lone pairs. On a related note, though, the steric number include the number of atoms bonded plus the number of lone pairs on a central atom. This number is useful in VSEPR to determine the electron arrangement.

[Hannah Yates 1K]

Can the term coordination number apply to all molecules? or only some?

I’m pretty sure a coordination number can only apple to coordination compound, which is the product of a Lewis acid-base reaction in which neutral molecules or anions (called ligands) bond to a central metal atom (or ion) by coordinate covalent bonds.

[Karla_Ocampo 4E]

Hi! The coordination number is just the number of atoms attached to the central atom. However as someone stated, don't count lone pairs.