Coordination number is:
ANumber of donor atoms directly bonded to central metal
BCharge on metal
CNumber of electrons
DNumber of ligands
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Number of donor atoms directly bonded to central metal
Coordination number = number of donor atoms (not ligands!) directly bonded to the metal. For polydentate ligands, one ligand contributes multiple donor atoms. Typical CN: 4 (tetrahedral/square planar), 6 (octahedral).
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