Textbook Problem 9C.5

[vuongnaomi1L]

In part d, the question asks the ligand can be polydentate, and give the maximum number of places on the ligand that can bind simultaneously to a single metal center. For oxalate ion, the formula is C2O4 2-. I attached a picture.

Since there are lone pairs on 4 of the atoms, what makes it bidentate and donating 2 electron pairs instead of donating 4 electron pairs (because there are lone pairs on 4 of the atoms).

[vuongnaomi1L]

This is the pic, forgot to insert.

[Arya Adibi 1K]

Only two of the oxygen atoms can bind to metallic central atom, which makes it bidentate

[claire ikemiya_2I]

Which two oxygen atoms? Is it the ones with the single bonds?

[Charlie Russell 2L]

The single bonded oxygen atoms can make a coordinate covalent bond to another transition metal. It would make their formal charge zero if they did, as well, thus making this bidentate because of those two single bond atoms.

[Simran Bains 2C]

The two single bonded Oxygen.