coordinate bond

A 'coordinate bond,' also known as a 'dative bond,' is crucial in understanding complex chemical structures and reactions, especially in coordination compounds.

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Definition

C1Physical Chemistry

(technical, academic)A type of covalent bond where both electrons shared come from the same atom.

Example

  • In the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺), the nitrogen atom forms a coordinate bond by donating a lone pair to a hydrogen ion (H⁺).

C2Coordination Chemistry

(technical, academic)A bond between a central metal atom and its ligands, where the ligands donate a pair of electrons to the metal.

Example

  • In the complex ion [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻, each cyanide ligand forms a coordinate bond with the iron center.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "coordinate bond":

bond energyhydrogen bondbinary compoundbinding timepeptide bond