Ligands

A ligand is an atom, ion, or molecule that donates one or more electron pairs to a central atom. A ligand is a part of complex (coordination) compounds. Every complex compound contains a central atom (cation) and an anion or neutral complex (ligand).

Dividing ligands

 * according to the number of coordination covalent bonds:
 * single bond
 * double bonds
 * multiple bonds


 * according to the type of donor atom:
 * oxygen ligands: water, OH-
 * carbon ligands: carbonyl
 * sulfur ligands: hydrogen sulfide
 * phosphate ligands: phosphane

Related Articles

 * Complex compounds
 * Coordination convalent bond