What is the coordination number of a metal in a complex with an octahedral geome
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the coordination number of a metal in a complex with an octahedral geometry?
2
4
6
8
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the coordination number of a metal in a complex with an octahedral geometry?
Step 1: Understand what a complex is. A complex is a structure formed by a central metal atom surrounded by molecules or ions called ligands.
Step 2: Learn about octahedral geometry. In octahedral geometry, the ligands are arranged around the central metal atom in a way that resembles an octahedron, which has eight faces.
Step 3: Count the number of ligands in an octahedral complex. In this geometry, there are six ligands that surround the central metal atom.
Step 4: Define the coordination number. The coordination number is the number of ligands attached to the central metal atom in a complex.
Step 5: Conclude that in an octahedral complex, the coordination number is 6 because there are six ligands.
