1.

The position of ligands in the formula of a mononuclear coordination entity depends on which of
the following?

a) The first letter in the name of the ligand

b) Charge on the ligand

c) Atomicity of the ligand

d) Denticity of the ligand

Answer: a

Explanation: The listing of ligands in the formula of mononuclear coordination entities is according to
alphabetical order, including abbreviated ligands. It does not depend on the atomicity, denticity or
the charge on the ligand.

2. Which of the following is the correct formulation of the entity according to IUPAC?

a) (Co(CN)6)3-

b) [Co(CN)6]3-

c) [Co (CN)6]3-

d) [Co(CN)6]-3

Answer: b

Explanation: The formula of the coordination entity should be enclosed within square brackets and
there should be no space between the ligand and central metal. The number is written before the
sign while indication the charge of the complex ion.

3. Which of the following ligands will be listed last in a coordination sphere?

a) Cl

b) CO

c) CO3

d) C2O4

Answer: d

Explanation: The ligands given are chlorine (Cl), carbonyl (CO), carbonate (CO 3) and oxalate (C2O4). Of
these, the one that occurs last in alphabetic order is oxalate, and hence is will be listed at the end of
the coordination entity.
4. Which of the following is true regarding a charged coordination entity?

a) The charge is indicated as a subscript outside the square bracket on the right

b) The charge of the complex ion is written in parenthesis while naming the entity

c) The sign of the charge is written after the number

d) The charge on the complex ion is depicted along with the counter ion

Answer: c

Explanation: The charge of a coordination entity is written without the presence of the counter ion
and is indicated outside the square brackets on the right side as a superscript with the number
before the sign of charge.

5. Which of the following terms is used to indicate the number of individual ligands that do not
include a numerical prefix, in the name of a coordination compound?

a) tetra

b) bis

c) tris

d) tetrakis

Answer: a

Explanation: The terms bis, tris, tetrakis are used when the names of the ligand include a numerical
prefix. Else, the prefixes used are mono, di, tri, tetra, etc.

6. The correct way of naming Co in [CoCl 2(en)2]+ is ________

a) cobalt(III)

b) cobalt(II)

c) cobaltate(III)

d) cobaltate(II)

Answer: a

Explanation: The complex ion given is cationic and hence the metal is named same as the element.
Also, the oxidation number of cobalt is +3 as (en) is a neutral ligand and Cl has -1 charge. Thus, the
correct naming for Co is cobalt(III).
7. The prefix di is used twice in the naming of [NiCl 2(PPh3)2].

a) True

b) False

Answer: b

Explanation: The prefix di is used only once for chlorido. For the PPh 3 ligand, the prefix bis is used
instead, as PPh3 (triphenylphosphine) already includes a numerical prefix in its name.

8. What would be the formula of the hypothetical compound shown in the figure? (Assume all
ligands are monoatomic)

a) [M(AB)2C]+

b) [M(A2B2C)]+

c) [MA2B2C]+

d) [M(A)2(B)2C]+

Answer: c

Explanation: A, B and C are distinct monoatomic ligands are simply listed in that order after the
metal M, without the use of any parenthesis, and enclosed within square brackets.

9. If the complex ion is cationic, the name of the metal ends with suffix -ate.

a) True

b) False

Answer: b

Explanation: In cationic complex ions, the metal is named same as element. On the other hand, in
anionic complex ions, the name of the metal is ended with -ate.
10. Identify the correct naming for K2[PdCl4].

a) Potassium tetrachlorinepalladium(II)

b) Potassium tetrachlorinepalladate(II)

c) Potassium tetrachloridopalladium(II)

d) Potassium tetrachloridopalladate(II)

Answer: d

Explanation: Since Cl is an anionic ligand, it ends in -o, hence chlorido. Also, the complex ion is
anionic, and the metal must end with the suffix -ate, hence palladate.