Complete the exercises below. For each of the following pairs, identify the molecule or ion that is more likely to act as a ligand in a metal complex: a. acetonitrile (CH₃CN) or ammonium (NH₄⁺),

Ligands are molecules or ions that can donate a pair of electrons to a metal ion to form a coordination complex. They can be classified as either monodentate, which bind through a single atom, or polydentate, which can attach through multiple atoms. The ability of a ligand to coordinate with a metal depends on its electron-donating ability and steric factors.

Coordination chemistry studies the interactions between metal ions and ligands, focusing on the formation of coordination complexes. The properties of these complexes, such as stability and reactivity, are influenced by the nature of the metal, the type of ligands, and the geometry of the complex. Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting the behavior of metal-ligand systems.

Electronegativity refers to the tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a bond. In the context of ligands, neutral molecules like acetonitrile (CH₃CN) can act as better ligands than positively charged species like ammonium (NH₄⁺) because they can donate electron pairs more readily. The charge and electronegativity of a ligand influence its ability to stabilize a metal center in a complex.