In the complex ion [Cu(NH3)4]2+, the ammonia molecules act as
- A. ligands, donating a lone pair of electrons to the central metal ion
- B. reducing agents
- C. counter ions balancing the charge
- D. solvent molecules with no bonding role
Explanation
A ligand is a species with at least one lone pair that forms a dative covalent bond to the central metal ion, and here each nitrogen donates its lone pair, giving copper a coordination number of four. Water, chloride and cyanide act in the same way. The deep blue colour of this complex is the standard test for copper two ions.
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