Achieve week 9 #6

[Aren_Kasparian_1G]

How can we find the coordination number of the compound, when there is another molecule outside of the brackets?

[Jennifer Huynh 3I]

Molecules or ions outside the brackets are not a part of the coordination sphere, so they are not included in the coordination number count. The coordination number only includes the ligands that bind to the central metal atom.

[Caroline 2A]

Hi!

Achieve explains it in a really helpful way. Basically, since there is only one chloride ion outside of the brackets, so the charge within the brackets would be +1. NH3 is neutral, and the chloro ligands both have a -1 charge. So the equation would look like:
X + 4(0) + 2(-1) = +1 and X = +3.

Hope this helps :)