Question

What type of ligand is ethylenediamine?

• A. Monodentate
• B. Bidentate
• C. Hexadentate
• D. Ambidentate

Hint:

Ethylenediamine has two nitrogen donor atoms that bind the metal together.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
The denticity of a ligand is the number of donor atoms through which it binds to the central metal ion.

Step 2: Structure of ethylenediamine
Ethylenediamine is \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N-CH}_{2}\text{-CH}_{2}\text{-NH}_{2}\).
Each nitrogen has a lone pair, and both can bind the same metal ion, forming a five-membered chelate ring.

Step 3: Conclusion
A ligand with two donor atoms is bidentate.
Monodentate has one donor, hexadentate (like EDTA) has six, and ambidentate has two different donor sites but binds through only one at a time.

Final Answer:
Ethylenediamine is a bidentate ligand, option (B). \[ \boxed{\text{(B) }\text{Bidentate}} \]