The coordination number and geometry of cerium in [Ce(NO3)6]2– a...
Coordination number and geometry of Ce in [Ce(NO3)6]2
Coordination number
The coordination number is the number of atoms or ions that surround a central atom or ion in a complex. In this case, we are looking at the coordination number of cerium (Ce) in the complex [Ce(NO3)6]2. To determine the coordination number, we need to count the number of atoms or ions that are directly bonded to the central Ce atom.
In this complex, the Ce atom is surrounded by six nitrate (NO3-) ions that are directly bonded to it. Each nitrate ion has one oxygen atom that is bonded to the Ce atom. Therefore, the coordination number of Ce in [Ce(NO3)6]2 is 12.
Geometry
The geometry of a complex is determined by the arrangement of the ligands (atoms or ions that are directly bonded to the central atom or ion) around the central atom or ion. In this case, the Ce atom is surrounded by six nitrate ions.
The coordination geometry of a complex with a coordination number of 12 can be either icosahedral or octahedral. However, in this case, the geometry of the complex is icosahedral because the nitrate ions are arranged around the Ce atom in a way that resembles an icosahedron - a twenty-sided polyhedron. The icosahedron has twelve vertices, which corresponds to the twelve nitrate ions directly bonded to the Ce atom.
Therefore, the coordination number and geometry of Ce in [Ce(NO3)6]2 are 12 and icosahedral, respectively.
The coordination number and geometry of cerium in [Ce(NO3)6]2– a...
Cerium being a large atom of lathanide series accommodate No3-- as a bidentate ligand ( No3-- is a flexidentate ligand) , hence coordination number become 12 and has a icosahedron structure