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CUET
Chemistry
Inorganic: Coordination Compounds
Which of the following is an ambidentate ligand?
NH3
H2O
SCN-
H2N-CH2-CH2-NH2
The correct answer is OPTION 3 - SCN-
An ambidentate ligand is a ligand that can coordinate to a metal ion through two different atoms, but only one at a time.
NH₃ –
Monodentate ligand
Can donate a lone pair only through nitrogen Not ambidentate
H₂O –
Monodentate
Donates lone pair through oxygen Not ambidentate
SCN⁻ (Thiocyanate ion) –
Ambidentate ligand
Can bind through either sulfur (S) or nitrogen (N)
H₂N–CH₂–CH₂–NH₂ (Ethylenediamine) –
Bidentate ligand
Coordinates through two nitrogen atoms simultaneously Not ambidentate