Q34 / 150 · MHT CET 2026 (11 April Shift 2) · Chemistry
Which of the following is an ambident ligand ?
- AEthylene diamine
- B$\text{Cl}^-$
- CEDTA
- Correct answerDSCN
Solution
An ambident ligand is a monodentate ligand that contains more than one coordinating atom and can bind to the central metal ion through different atoms.
Ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand coordinating through two nitrogen atoms.
$\text{Cl}^-$ is a monodentate ligand coordinating only through the chlorine atom.
EDTA is a hexadentate ligand coordinating through two nitrogen and four oxygen atoms.
$\text{SCN}^-$ (thiocyanate ion) can coordinate to the central metal ion either through the sulfur atom (thiocyanato) or through the nitrogen atom (isothiocyanato). Therefore, it is an ambident ligand.
Answer: SCN
Ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand coordinating through two nitrogen atoms.
$\text{Cl}^-$ is a monodentate ligand coordinating only through the chlorine atom.
EDTA is a hexadentate ligand coordinating through two nitrogen and four oxygen atoms.
$\text{SCN}^-$ (thiocyanate ion) can coordinate to the central metal ion either through the sulfur atom (thiocyanato) or through the nitrogen atom (isothiocyanato). Therefore, it is an ambident ligand.
Answer: SCN
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.