Question
Explain the following terms:
(a) coordination number
(b) counter ions.
Solution
a) coordination number : The coordination number of a metal ion in a complex can be defined as the number of ligand donor atoms to which the metal is directly bonded. For example, in the complex ions, [PtCl6]-2 and [Ni(NH3)4]2+, the coordination number of Pt and NI are 6 and 4 respectively.
b) Counter ion: The species with in the square bracket are coordination entities or complexes and the ions outside the square bracket are called counter ions.
