Prefixes

[zoedfinch1K]

When do we use the bis-, tris-, tetrakis-, pentakis-, etc. prefixes?

[PranaviKolla2B]

Do you mean in terms of naming compounds?

[April Meza 3K]

They are used to determine the number of times a single ligand attaches to the central metal.

[Sydney Jacobs 1C]

Use bis-, tris-, tetrakis-, etc. if the ligand already contains a Greek prefix or if it is polydentate (able to attach at more than one binding site simultaneously.) An example would be K2 [Cr(OH2)2(ox)2], which would be read as potassium diaquabis(oxalato)chromate (II).

[KSong_1J]

You use those prefixes when a ligand is a polydentate or if it already has a prefix

[rohun2H]

If the ligand already has a name with di-, tri-, tetra-, or polydentate.