Question

Will methylamine $\left({\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}{\mathbf{NH}}_{\mathbf{2}}\right)$be a monodentate or a bidentate ligand? With which of its atoms will it bind to a metal ion?

Short answer

${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$is a monodentate ligand with one lone pair of electron on the nitrogen atom.

In ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$, the C and N atom are at the central position of ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$molecule. The carbon atom gets surrounded by three hydrogen atoms and a nitrogen atom is surrounded by one carbon, two hydrogen atoms and one lone electron pair.

Step-by-step solution

Ligands

The donor atom, molecules or anions that contribute a pair of electrons to the metal atom or ions and create a coordinate bond with it are termed ligands. The metal atom or ion to which these ligands are connected is called central metal atom or ion. Amonodendate ligand hasone donor atom, bidendate ligand has two donor atoms.

Is methylamine a monodendate or bidendate ligand

${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$is a monodentate ligand with one lone pair of electron on the nitrogen atom. There is only one electron pair on the nitrogen atom, hence it is only one coordinate end.

In ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$, the C and N atom are at the central position of${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}$ molecule. The carbon atom gets surrounded by three hydrogen atoms and a nitrogen atom is surrounded by one carbon, two hydrogen atoms and one lone electron pair.

Structure of methylamine