What are Ligands?

[Ellis Song 4I]

I'm a bit confused on what exactly ligands are. Is ligand just a name for a particular segment of a molecule?

[nehashetty_2G]

A ligand is just something that attaches onto a transition metal central atom in a coordination compound.

[Ally Huang- 1F]

While a ligand is an ion or molecule that attaches to a central atom, ligands can also be described as electron donors. A ligand will usually donate one or two pairs of electrons to form the bond. If the ligand donates one of its lone pairs it is said to form a coordinate covalent bond.

[DLee_1L]

Isn't it two electrons and not 2 electron pairs that make a coordinate covalent bond?

[Vivianvelazquez_1J]

A ligand is an ion or molecule that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex by coordinate bonding. Ligands are usually thought of as electron donors attracted to the metal at the center of the complex.

[Astrid Lunde 1I]

A ligan is a ion or a molecule bonding to a metal atom.

[Celine 1F]

A ligand is a molecule or atom that bind to a central metal atom. They can also be described as electrons donors.