Bidentate [ENDORSED]

[sylvie_1D]

Hi, so for a ligand to be Bidentate does that mean it has two electron pairs facing the same way as a metal atom and therefore are able to bind to the metal atom? For example the oxalate ion. The oxygens have many lone pairs allowing it to bind to another metal atom but how do you know which lone pair binds/ does it matter or does it just have to be any two electron pairs?

[Chem_Mod]

For a bidentate ligand, 2 different atoms must have a lone pair that can form a bond with a transition metal. In the oxalate ligand, 2 oxygens with a negative charge can donate an electron pair to form a bond in 2 unique binding sites with the transition metal.

[Chem_Mod]

In my Wednesday review session I'll do some of these:
Wednesday June 13, Franz 1178
3 – 4:30 pm, Dr. Laurence Lavelle, variety of topics and chapters