Which statement concerning ligands in transition metal complexes is not correct?
A)The addition of ammonia to a chloro complex should generate the corresponding ammine complex because ammonia is a stronger Lewis base than chloride.
B)Ammonia is a stronger ligand than water because ammonia is a stronger Lewis base than water.
C)All ligands are Lewis bases.
D)Cyanide is a stronger ligand than water because cyanide is a stronger Lewis base than water.
E)Cyanide is a stronger ligand than fluoride because it is composed of two atoms.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement "Cyanide is a stronger ligand than fluoride because it is composed of two atoms" is not correct. The number of atoms in a ligand does not necessarily determine its strength as a Lewis base. Cyanide is a stronger ligand than fluoride because cyanide has a greater electronegativity difference between the carbon and nitrogen atoms, resulting in a stronger polarization of the carbon-nitrogen bond and a greater ability to donate an electron pair to the metal center.

Which Statement Concerning Ligands in Transition Metal Complexes Is Not