Name the type of isomerism when ambidentate ligands are attached to central
metal ion. Give two examples of ambidentate ligands.
Ambidentate ligands are monodentate ligands that have two different binding sites. Few examples of ambidentate ligands are given below. M denotes the central metal ion.
1) SCN-→ M NCS→M
Isothiocyanato Thiocyanato
In Isothiocynato, the binding atom is Nitrogen, while Thiocyanato, the binding atom to the central metal ion is Sulphur.
2) MßNO2 MßO-N=O
Nitrito-N Nitrito-O
Similarly in Nitrito-N, the binding atom is Nitrogen, whereas in Nitrito-O, the binding atom is Oxygen.
The type of isomerism when ambidentate ligands are attached to central metal ion is called linkage isomerism, because they only differ in the atom that is linked to the central metal ion.