CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

How should we take molecular shape into account when deciding how many binding sites a polydentate ion has?

I think most polydentates form chelate shapes, so if you see this shape there is more than one bonding site being occupied. I'm not sure how to determine the exact number.

It is also important to notice whether there are single or double bonds around the atoms with lone pairs, since only single bonds can rotate to form multiple ligands. For example, NH2-CH2-CH2-NH2 has single bonds attaching the Ns, so it can form a shape like \__/, which can be bidentate.

Polydentate shapes are like rings since they have multiple bonding sites.