Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Inorganic: Coordination Compounds

Question:

The donor atoms in ethylene diamine tetra acetate ions are:

Options:

Two N and two O atoms

Two N and four O atoms

Four N and two O atoms

Three N and Three O atoms

Correct Answer:

Two N and four O atoms

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 2: Two N and four O atoms.

The ethylenediaminetetraacetate ion (\(C_{10}H_{16}N_2O_8^{2-}\)) is a complex ion used in coordination chemistry to form complexes with metal ions. The donor atoms in ethylenediaminetetraacetate (\(en\) or \(H_2NCH_2CH_2NH_2\)) are nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) from the acetate groups.



If we break down the structure of ethylenediaminetetraacetate, we find that it has:

Two nitrogen (N) atoms from the ethylenediamine (\(en\)) part.
Four oxygen (O) atoms from the acetate (\(CH_3COO^-\)) groups.

So, the correct answer is:

(B) Two N and four O atoms.