Final answer:
A chemical compound with a central metal ion covalently bonded to two or more ligands is known as a Coordination Compound. These ligands are attached via coordinate covalent bonds, and such compounds are key in many biological and industrial processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes a chemical compound consisting of a central metal ion covalently bonded to two or more anions or molecules known as ligands is a Coordination Compound. A typical coordination compound includes a central metal ion such as copper, iron or nickel, and several ligands, which can be simple molecules like water (H2O), ammonia (NH3), or ions like chloride (Cl-). These ligands are essentially attached to the central metal ion through coordinate covalent bonds - a type of chemical bond where both electrons in the bond come from the same atom, typically the ligand.
In coordination compounds, the central metal acts as a Lewis acid, meaning it accepts electron pairs, and the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating the electron pairs. This arrangement gives rise to intricate structures which can exhibit various types of isomerism, including geometric and optical isomerism. These complexes are not only fascinating in terms of their chemistry, but they also play significant roles in biological systems, industrial applications, and more.