Coordination Number of Metal species/oxidation number

[Jada Dawson]

Hi,
I'm having trouble distinguishing the difference between finding the coordination number of a metal species and finding the oxidation number of a metal species? Can someone help clarify for me pls?

[Barbara Soliman 1G]

The coordination number is the number of ligands attached to the metal cation in the coordination sphere. So if there are 4 ligands attached, the coordination number is 4. The oxidation number is the charge of the atom within a molecule. You would have to use the equation total # of valence electrons - # of bonds- number of electrons in the lone pairs to find it. Hope this helps!

[Joshua Lee 3C]

The coordination number of a metal atom within a coordination compound refers to the number of atoms, molecules, or ions directly bonded to it. However, oxidation number refers to the charge of the metal ion in the compound assuming that all the bonds are completely ionic. In coordination compounds, you often look at the charges of the entire complex and the charges of each ligand to solve for the oxidation number of the metal ion. We know that the charge of the metal ion + the charge of the ligands = total charge.