Question

Which among the following is an ambidentate ligand?

Options

• Carbonyl

• Acetate

• Nitrito

• Oxalate

Answer 1

Nitrito

Explanation:

Ambidentate ligands are those ligands that can ligate through two different atoms. Nitrito is an ambidentate ligand as it can coordinate to the central metal atom/ion through O in nitrito-O i.e. ONO⁻ and through N in nitrito-N i.e. \[\ce{NO^-_2}\].