Question

Which is the correct pair of chelating and ambidentate ligands?

• A. Chelating: en, Ambidentate: \(NO_{2}^{-}\)
• B. Chelating: \(NH_{3}\), Ambidentate: \(H_{2}O\)
• C. Chelating: \(Cl^{-}\), Ambidentate: en
• D. Chelating: \(NO_{2}^{-}\), Ambidentate: \(C_{2}O_{4}^{2-}\)

Hint:

Remember the common ligand types: \[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} NH_3,\;H_2O,\;Cl^- &\rightarrow \text{Monodentate}\\ en,\;C_2O_4^{2-} &\rightarrow \text{Chelating (Bidentate)}\\ EDTA &\rightarrow \text{Hexadentate}\\ NO_2^-,\;SCN^- &\rightarrow \text{Ambidentate} \end{aligned} } \] Chelating ligands form ring structures with the central metal ion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Chelating ligands bind a metal ion through two or more donor atoms simultaneously to form a ring (e.g., ethylenediamine, EDTA). Ambidentate ligands possess two different donor atoms but coordinate through only one at a time (e.g., $SCN^-$ through S or N; $NO_2^-$ through N or O). The correct pair contains one ligand of each type.