Question

Predict whether the carbonate ligand CO₃²⁻ will coordinate to a metal center as a monodentate, bidentate, or tridentate ligand?

1) Monodentate
2) Bidentate
3) Tridentate

Answer 1

The carbonate ligand CO₃²⁻ can coordinate to a metal center as a bidentate ligand.

Step-by-step explanation:

The carbonate ligand CO32- can coordinate to a metal center as a bidentate ligand. Bidentate ligands bind through two donor sites. In the case of CO32-, it can bind to a metal center through two oxygen atoms, each acting as a donor site by donating a lone pair of electrons.