Definition

1. Noun:
   • A coordination compound is a chemical structure consisting of a central metal atom or ion bonded to surrounding molecules or anions, called ligands. The bonds are typically coordinate covalent bonds, where the ligands donate electron pairs to the central atom.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • Hemoglobin is a biological coordination compound with an iron ion at its center.
  • The chemist synthesized a new coordination compound to study its catalytic properties.
  • In the lab, students learned to identify the geometry of a coordination compound.

Advanced Usage

• "Werner coordination compound": Refers specifically to complexes described by Alfred Werner's theory of coordination chemistry.
  • The experiment focused on synthesizing a classic Werner coordination compound.
• Described in terms of coordination number and geometry (e.g., octahedral coordination compound).
  • The metal in this octahedral coordination compound has a coordination number of six.

Variants and Related Words

• Complex (or Coordination complex) (n): Often used synonymously with "coordination compound."
  • The transition metal formed a stable complex.
• Ligand (n): An ion or molecule that binds to the central metal atom in a coordination compound.
  • Ammonia is a common ligand in many coordination compounds.
• Chelate (n): A specific type of coordination compound where a ligand forms multiple bonds to the central metal ion.
  • EDTA forms a very stable chelate with many metal ions.

Synonyms

• Coordination complex: A compound formed by the coordinate bonding of ligands to a central metal atom.
• Metal complex: Emphasizes the central metal component of the structure.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Formation constant (Kf): The equilibrium constant for the formation of a coordination compound from its components.
  • A high formation constant indicates a very stable coordination compound.
• Coordination sphere: The central metal ion and its surrounding ligands considered as a single unit.
  • The properties depend on the ions within the coordination compound's coordination sphere.

Noun

1. a compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated