Question #4fe0e

1 Answer
Kathryn Bell
Dec 1, 2017

No, #NH_3# does not show linkage isomerism.

Explanation:

Linkage isomerism occurs when a ligand in a coordination compound can connect to the metal in two or more different ways.

An example of this is #NO_2# which can connect to the metal via the oxygen atom or the nitrogen atom:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linkage_isomerism

Linkage isomerism usually occurs when there is more than one electronegative atom in a ligand. Since the metal centre is positively charged, both electronegative atoms can form electrostatic attraction with the metal centre.

Since #NH_3# only has one electronegative atom (nitrogen), and the electropositive hydrogen is not attracted to the positive metal centre, it does not show linkage isomerism.

Related questions
See all questions in Isomerisms
Impact of this question
1845 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License