coordination compound shape

[Gisela F Ramirez 2H]

if we have a cation before the [M(Y)(X)], do we take that into consideration when asked to name the shape of the coordination compound? Or is the shape based on how many ligands are bound to the central atom?

[305113590]

Shape is determined by the number of ligands that are attached to the metal ion/atom.

[Nathan Tran 4K]

The shape is determined by how many ligands are attached. Even more so, we have to consider whether something is polydentate. For example, three bidentate ligands would be octahedral in shape.

[timschaeffer Dis 1J]

the concept of "shape" in this case normally refers to that of the coordination sphere (whatever is inside the brackets for the coordination compound formula). Anything written outside the brackets is an ion or molecule that is closely associated with the coordination sphere but does influence the coordination sphere's shape.