Answer to Question #57684 in Inorganic Chemistry for Sanjukta Ghosh

Question

While naming a coordinate compound should we write the polydentate ligand name in brackets after writing the prefix-bis/tris etc?

Answer 1

Names of substances build of names of ligands with the previous numerical prefix (the Greek numeral) specifying number of ligands of each type in a formula, and names of a complexing agent in a certain form. If the name of a ligand already contains a numerical prefix and also when such prefix creates an ambiguity in a ligand structure, use the multiplying prefixes, such as bis-, tris-, tetrakis-, pentakis-, etc. For example: (SO4^2-)2 - an bis(sulfato-), (NH2CH2CH2NH2)4 - tetrakis(ethylene diamine).