Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The coordination number of calcium in the complex ion [Ca(EDTA)]²⁻ is 6. Reason (R): EDTA⁴⁻ is a hexadentate ligand that coordinates to the metal ion through four nitrogen and two oxygen atoms. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Step-by-step solution

Assertion (A) is correct. The ligand EDTA⁴⁻ (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) is a hexadentate ligand. Since one EDTA molecule binds to the calcium ion, it forms 6 coordinate bonds, making the coordination number of calcium 6. Reason (R) is not correct. While EDTA⁴⁻ is indeed a hexadentate ligand, it coordinates to the central metal ion through two nitrogen atoms and four oxygen atoms, not four nitrogen and two oxygen atoms. Therefore, Assertion is correct but Reason is not correct. Answer: Assertion is correct but Rea