Coordination Number

[Benjamin_Hugh_3F]

Just to clarify, the coordination number is basically equal to the number of ligands attached to the central atom, not the total number of ligands right?

[Jessie Hsu 1C]

I think of the coordination number as the number of bonds from the ligands to the metal! For example in [Ni(NH₃)₄Cl₂] the 6 ligands connect to the Ni with 6 bonds so the coordination number is 6.

[Cooper_Geralds_3B]

Hi, here is a helpful definition that I found on coordination numbers: "Coordination number, also called Ligancy, the number of atoms, ions, or molecules that a central atom or ion holds as its nearest neighbors in a complex or coordination compound or in a crystal" (Britannica). Hope this helps!

[Eunice_Castro_1G]

Hi! Coordination number is the number of bonds that central atom has. Hope this helps!

[Crystal Pan 2G]

coordination number is the number of ligands attached to the transition metal, essentially the atoms inside the square brackets.

[Jason Knight - 1F]

Coordination number is the number of atoms or molecules that is currently surrounded by a central atom. For example the coordination number of [M(NH3)4 F2] is 6 because there are 6 bonded regions to the central atom (M).

[VincentLe_3A]

Coordination number is the number of bonds on the transition metal cation within the coordination compound. It is important to note that a single ligand can contribute to more than one coordination number if it is polydentate. For instance, a bidentate ligand, such as ethylenediamine, would be able to form a ring like structure and have two bonds with the transition metal cation. Therefore, a bidentate ligand would contribute 2 to the overall coordination number as it forms 2 bonds.

[MCalcagnie_ 1D]

I have found a pattern in simply looking at the subscripts of the ligands and adding those up and using that as the coordination number. I don't know if this is an effective method or not, or if it's already widely used, but just thought I would throw it out there in case it helped someone!

[Emma Strassner 1J]

Hi, coordination number is the number of ligands attached to the transition metal. It is easiest to look at the number of ligands inside the brackets.