Question

Define coordination sphere. Give example.

Answer 1

The central metal ion and ligands linked to it are enclosed in a square bracket. This is called a coordination sphere. This is a discrete structural unit. The ionisable groups shown outside the bracket are the counter ions. For example, the compound K₄[Fe(CN)₆] has [Fe(CN)₆]^4- coordination sphere with the ionisable K^⊕ ions representing counter ions.