The set which does not have ambidentate ligands (labeled as (i))… — Solution | JEE Chemistry

MCQEasyJEE 2023Ligands & Coordination Number

The set which does not have ambidentate ligands (labeled as $(i)$ ) is:

Answer

Correct answer:D

Standard Method

Given: We must identify the set that does not have ambidentate ligands.

Find: The correct option containing ligands that are not ambidentate.

Ambidentate ligands are characterized by their ability to bind metal centers through different atoms within the same ligand.

Ambidentate ligands are ligands that can coordinate through two different donor atoms, such as $NO_3^-$ and $NCS^-$ .
$CO_3^{2-}$ , $NO_3^-$ , and $NCS^-$ can act as ambidentate ligands, but $CO_2^{2-}$ and ethylene diamine do not.
Hence, the correct set that does not have ambidentate ligands is (4).

Therefore, the correct option is D.

Confusing ambidentate ligands with polydentate ligands is a common mistake. A ligand like ethylene diamine is bidentate, but that does not make it ambidentate. Ambidentate means coordination can occur through different donor atoms; check the donor atom identity, not only the number of donor sites.
Assuming that every anionic ligand is ambidentate is incorrect. Some anions coordinate through only one effective donor atom. Verify whether the ligand can attach through two different atoms instead of relying on its charge.
Ignoring the phrase does not have can lead to selecting a set containing ambidentate ligands. First classify the ligands, then eliminate the sets that include known ambidentate examples such as $NCS^-$ .

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