NEET2026ChemistryChapterActual
Which of the following ions or molecules acts as an ambidentate ligand in coordination compounds?
Options
- AC ₂ O ₄²⁻
- BNO ₂⁻
- CNH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ NH ₂
- DH ₂ O
Correct answer
B. NO ₂⁻
Step-by-step solution
An ambidentate ligand is a monodentate ligand that contains more than one coordinating atom and can coordinate to the central metal ion through either of them. The NO ₂⁻ ion has two donor atoms: nitrogen and oxygen. It can bind to the central metal ion either through the nitrogen atom (forming a nitro complex) or through an oxygen atom (forming a nitrito complex). C ₂ O ₄²⁻ (oxalate) and NH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ NH ₂ (ethylenediamine) are bidentate ligands. H ₂ O is a monodentate ligand with only oxygen as the donor atom. Th