Question

The carbonate ion \(\left(\mathrm{CO}_{3}^{2-}\right)\) can act as either a monodentate or a bidentate ligand. Draw a picture of \(\mathrm{CO}_{3}^{2-}\) coordinating to a metal ion as a monodentate and as a bidentate ligand. The carbonate ion can also act as a bridge between two metal ions. Draw a picture of a \(\mathrm{CO}_{3}^{2-}\) ion bridging between two metal ions.

Short answer

To draw the carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻) as a ligand: 1. As a monodentate ligand: Draw the carbonate ion with one oxygen atom connected to a central carbon, surrounded by two other negatively charged oxygen atoms. Show coordination between a metal ion and a single oxygen atom using a line representing the bond. 2. As a bidentate ligand: Draw the carbonate ion as previously mentioned. Show coordination between a metal ion and two oxygen atoms from the carbonate ion and form a 5-membered ring including the carbon atom using lines to represent the bonds. 3. As a bridging ligand: Draw the carbonate ion as mentioned earlier and depict two separate metal ions each coordinating to a different oxygen atom from the carbonate ion. Create a bridge between the two metal ions using lines to represent the bonds between each metal ion and respective oxygen atom.

Step-by-step solution

Draw the carbonate ion as a monodentate ligand

To draw the carbonate ion as a monodentate ligand, first, show a basic representation of the carbonate ion with one oxygen atom connected to a central carbon atom, surrounded by two other oxygen atoms each with a negative charge. Then, depict the coordination between a metal ion and a single oxygen atom from the carbonate ion, using a line to represent the bond between the metal ion and the oxygen atom.

Draw the carbonate ion as a bidentate ligand

Now, we will illustrate the carbonate ion as a bidentate ligand. Start with the same basic representation of the carbonate ion as in Step 1. Then, show the coordination between a metal ion and two oxygen atoms from the carbonate ion. Use lines to represent the bonds between the metal ion and the two oxygen atoms, forming a 5-membered ring including the central carbon atom.

Draw the carbonate ion bridging between two metal ions

Finally, we need to draw the carbonate ion bridging between two metal ions. Begin with the basic representation of the carbonate ion as in Step 1. Then, depict two separate metal ions each coordinating to a different oxygen atom from the carbonate ion. Use lines to represent the bonds between each metal ion and their respective oxygen atom, creating a bridge between the two metal ions.