The cyanide ion ( CN^- ) can bind to a metal center through either the carbon atom or the nitrogen atom, forming different complexes. Based on this property, the cyanide ion is classified as a:

Step-by-step solution

The cyanide ion ( CN^- ) has two potential donor atoms: carbon and nitrogen. It can bind to a central metal atom or ion through either of these two atoms, but only one at a time. Such unidentate ligands that can coordinate through two different atoms are known as ambidentate ligands. Other common examples of ambidentate ligands include the thiocyanate ion ( SCN^- ) which can bind through sulfur or nitrogen, and the nitrite ion ( NO₂^- ) which can bind through nitrogen or oxygen. Answer: Ambidentate ligand