1. Which of the following is the coordination entity in K 2[Zn(OH)4]?

a) K+

b) Zn2+

c) OH-

d) [Zn(OH)4]2-

Answer: d

Explanation: A coordination entity consists of a central metal atom bonded to a fixed number of
atoms/molecules. Here, K+ is the counter ion, OH is the molecule bonded to the central atom which
is Zn.

2. The central atom/ion of a coordination complex is also referred to as ________

a) Lewis acid

b) Lewis base

c) Bronsted-Lowry acid

d) Bronsted-Lowry base

Answer: a

Explanation: A Lewis acid is a species that can accept an electron pair. All cations are Lewis acids.
Since the central atom of a coordination complex is a metal and always accept electrons, it is a Lewis
acid.

3. Identify the Lewis acid in K3[Al(C2O4)3].

a) K+

b) Al

c) Al3+

d) [Al(C2O4)3]3-

Answer: c

Explanation: Aluminium ion is the Lewis acid as it can accept 3 electrons from the donor atom to
form the complex [Al(C2O4)3]3-.
4. Which of the following is the central atom/ion in [CoCl(NH 3)5]2+?

a) Co

b) Co2+

c) Co3+

d) Cl-

Answer: c

Explanation: The central ion in the given complex ion is cobalt as it accepts electrons to form a bond
with Cl atom and ammonia molecules. Since the primary valence of Co in this compound is +3, the
ion in Co3+.

5. Which of the following cannot be a ligand?

a) Ni2+

b) Cl-

c) H2O

d) NH3

Answer: a

Explanation: The ions/molecules bound to the central atom/ion is called a ligand. Ni 2+ is a metal ion,
and according to Werner the secondary valences can be satisfied only by neutral molecules or
negative ions. Cl-, H2O and NH3 are all possible ligands.

6. How many donor atoms can EDTA4- ligand bind through?

a) 2

b) 4

c) 6

d) 8

Answer: c

Explanation: EDTA4- is a hexadentate ligand which can bind through two nitrogen and four oxygen
atoms to a central metal ion, giving it a total of 2 + 4 = 6 donor atoms.
7. A protein can exist in a coordination entity as a ligand.

a) True

b) False

Answer: a

Explanation: A protein is a macromolecule that consists of atoms that may donate electrons to a
metal ion to form a coordinate bond, and hence act as a ligand.

8. Which is the donor atom in the coordinate bond shown below?

a) N

b) O1

c) O2

d) Both N and O

Answer: a

Explanation: This is nitrito-N, formed by ambidentate ligand NO 2- ion when it bonds through its N
atom to the central metal ion. The other form is nitrito-O, which is formed when NO 2- coordinates
through the O1 atom.

9. The SCN- ion is a unidentate ligand.

a) True

b) False

Answer: a

Explanation: SCN- is an ambidentate ligand that can either bond through S atom or N atom to a
central atom/ion. But, at a time there is only a single donor atom, either S or N, making it a
unidentate ligand. For a fact, all ambidentate ligands are unidentate.
10. Coordination number is a characteristic of which of the following?

a) Central atom

b) Ligand

c) Coordination entity

d) Coordination compound

Answer: a

Explanation: Coordination number is also known as the secondary valence of a central metal ion in a
complex and is defined as the number of donor atoms it is directly bonded to. Hence, coordination
number is a quantity associated with the metal ion.

11. What is the coordination number of chromium in K 3[Cr(C2O4)3]?

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) 6

Answer: d
Explanation: There are three oxalate groups attached to the central ion in the given compound, but
since oxalate is a didentate ligand, there are a total of 6 donor atoms to which the metal is directly
bonded. Thus, the CN of Cr in K 3[Cr(C2O4)3] is 6.

12. Identify the coordination sphere in the compound K 4[Fe(CN)6].

a) K+

b) Fe2+

c) [Fe(CN)6]4-

d) CN-

Answer: c

Explanation: The coordination sphere refers to the square bracket within which the central atom/ion
and the groups attached to it are enclosed. This is a non-ionisable group as compared to the entity
outside the bracket, which is ionisable and is known as the counter ion.