Write the coordination number and geometry for dichlorobis(ethylenediamine).

Answer 1

Dichlorobis(ethylenediamine), often represented as \([CuCl_2(en)_2]^{+}\) where "en" stands for ethylenediamine, is a coordination complex.

In this complex, the coordination number is 6. This is because there are two ethylenediamine ligands (each donating two pairs of electrons, one from each nitrogen atom) and two chloride ions, giving a total of six coordination sites.

The geometry of the complex is octahedral due to the six coordinate sites around the central metal ion (usually copper in these examples) leading to an arrangement that maximizes the distance between the ligands.

So, the coordination number is 6, and the geometry is octahedral.