MolSynapsequestion bank
MolSynapse / Question bank / Coordination Compounds / Terminology, ligands and denticity, EAN
JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3cc015

Assertion: Oxalate is a bidentate ligand. Reason: Oxalate has four oxygen atoms, so it is tetradentate.

  1. ABoth Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion
  2. BBoth Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion
  3. CAssertion is true but Reason is false
  4. DAssertion is false but Reason is true

Answer: C

Denticity counts the donor atoms that actually bind to the same metal ion. Oxalate is bidentate because geometry allows only one oxygen from each carboxylate group to bind, forming a five-membered chelate ring. The Assertion is true; the Reason is false because the number of oxygen atoms present is not the denticity.
Practice Coordination Compounds More on Terminology, ligands and denticity, EAN
Previous questionNext question

More questions on Terminology, ligands and denticity, EAN