Naming transition metal compounds and complexes involves a specific set of rules to account
for the variable oxidation states of transition metals and the presence of ligands in coordination
complexes. Here's a comprehensive guide with tips and examples of common ligands:
Naming Simple Ionic Compounds with Transition Metals:
1. Identify the metal and nonmetal/polyatomic ion: The metal is usually written first in the
formula.
2. Name the metal: Use the element's name.
3. Determine the oxidation state of the metal: Since transition metals can have multiple
oxidation states, you need to figure out the charge of the metal cation. The overall charge
of the compound must be neutral. The charge of the nonmetal anion or polyatomic ion is
usually constant and known.
4. Indicate the oxidation state with Roman numerals: After the name of the metal, write
its oxidation state in parentheses using Roman numerals (e.g., I, II, III, IV).
5. Name the nonmetal or polyatomic ion:
○ For monatomic anions (nonmetals), change the ending of the element's name to
"-ide" (e.g., chloride, oxide, sulfide).
○ For polyatomic ions, use their common name (e.g., sulfate, nitrate, phosphate).
Example:
● \text{FeCl}_3: The chloride ion (\text{Cl}^-) has a -1 charge. Since there are three chloride
ions, the total negative charge is -3. To be neutral, the iron ion must have a +3 charge.
Therefore, the name is iron(III) chloride.
● \text{CuSO}_4: The sulfate ion (\text{SO}_4^{2-}) has a -2 charge. Therefore, the copper
ion must have a +2 charge. The name is copper(II) sulfate.
Tip: For some transition metals, older naming systems use "-ous" for the lower oxidation state
and "-ic" for the higher oxidation state (e.g., ferrous for \text{Fe}^{2+} and ferric for
\text{Fe}^{3+}). However, the Roman numeral system is preferred and more systematic.
Naming Coordination Complexes:
Coordination complexes consist of a central transition metal ion bonded to a surrounding group
of molecules or ions called ligands.
1. Identify the cation and anion (if the complex is an ionic salt): Name the cation first,
then the anion, just like in simple ionic compounds. If the complex ion is the anion, its
name will end in "-ate".
2. Name the ligands first, in alphabetical order:
○ Anionic ligands usually end in "-o" (e.g., chloride \rightarrow chloro, cyanide
\rightarrow cyano, hydroxide \rightarrow hydroxo).
○ Neutral ligands generally retain their common names. Important exceptions:
■ \text{H}_2\text{O} is called "aqua"
■ \text{NH}_3 is called "ammine" (note the double "m")
■ \text{CO} is called "carbonyl"
■ \text{NO} is called "nitrosyl"
○ If a ligand appears more than once, use prefixes to indicate the number:
■ di- (2)
■ tri- (3)
■ tetra- (4)
■ penta- (5)
■ hexa- (6)
■ If the ligand name itself contains these prefixes (e.g., ethylenediamine), use
bis- (2), tris- (3), tetrakis- (4), etc., and enclose the ligand name in
parentheses.
3. Name the central metal ion:
○ If the complex ion is a cation or a neutral molecule, use the element's name
followed by its oxidation state in Roman numerals in parentheses.
○ If the complex ion is an anion, the name of the metal ends in "-ate". Sometimes, the
Latin name of the metal is used (e.g., ferrate for iron, cuprate for copper, argentate
for silver, aurate for gold, plumbate for lead, stannate for tin). The oxidation state is
still indicated by Roman numerals in parentheses.
Example:
● [\text{Co(NH}_3)_4\text{Cl}_2]\text{Cl}:
○ The complex ion is the cation, and \text{Cl}^- is the anion (chloride).
○ Ligands: 4 \text{NH}_3 (ammine) and 2 \text{Cl}^- (chloro). Alphabetical order:
ammine then chloro. So, "tetraammine" and "dichloro".
○ Central metal: Cobalt (Co). To find the oxidation state: The overall charge of the
complex ion must balance the -1 charge of the chloride counterion, so the complex
ion is [\text{Co(NH}_3)_4\text{Cl}_2]^{+}. Ammonia is neutral (0 charge), and each
chloride ligand has a -1 charge. Therefore, the oxidation state of cobalt (x) is: x +
4(0) + 2(-1) = +1 \Rightarrow x - 2 = +1 \Rightarrow x = +3. So, cobalt(III).
○ Name: tetraamminedichlorocobalt(III) chloride
● \text{K}_4[\text{Fe(CN)}_6]:
○ The cation is \text{K}^+ (potassium), and the complex ion is the anion
[\text{Fe(CN)}_6]^{4-}.
○ Ligand: \text{CN}^- (cyano), there are 6, so "hexacyano".
○ Central metal: Iron (Fe). Since the complex is an anion, we use "ferrate". To find the
oxidation state: Potassium has a +1 charge, and there are four, so +4 total. The
complex ion must have a -4 charge. Each cyanide ligand has a -1 charge, so 6
cyanide ligands contribute -6. Therefore, the oxidation state of iron (x) is: x + 6(-1) =
-4 \Rightarrow x - 6 = -4 \Rightarrow x = +2. So, ferrate(II).
○ Name: potassium hexacyanoferrate(II)
Common Ligands:
Ligands are Lewis bases that donate one or more pairs of electrons to the central metal ion,
forming coordinate covalent bonds. They can be neutral molecules or ions. Here's a list of
common ligands, categorized by charge:
Neutral Ligands:
● \text{H}_2\text{O} (aqua)
● \text{NH}_3 (ammine)
● \text{CO} (carbonyl)
● \text{NO} (nitrosyl)
● \text{CH}_3\text{NH}_2 (methylamine)
● \text{N}_2\text{H}_4 (hydrazine)
● Organic ligands with lone pairs (e.g., amines, ethers)
Anionic Ligands:
● Halides:
○ \text{F}^- (fluoro)
○ \text{Cl}^- (chloro)
○ \text{Br}^- (bromo)
○ \text{I}^- (iodo)
● Oxoanions:
○ \text{OH}^- (hydroxo)
○ \text{O}^{2-} (oxo)
○ \text{SO}_4^{2-} (sulfato)
○ \text{NO}_3^- (nitrato)
○ \text{CO}_3^{2-} (carbonato)
○ \text{CH}_3\text{COO}^- (acetato)
○ \text{C}_2\text{O}_4^{2-} (oxalato)
● Pseudohalides:
○ \text{CN}^- (cyano)
○ \text{SCN}^- (thiocyanato) (can bind through S or N)
○ \text{NCS}^- (isothiocyanato) (binds through N)
● Other anions:
○ \text{S}^{2-} (sulfido)
○ \text{NH}_2^- (amido)
Polydentate Ligands (Chelating Ligands):
These ligands can bind to the metal ion through more than one donor atom, forming rings.
● Bidentate (two donor atoms):
○ en: ethylenediamine (\text{H}_2\text{NCH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2)
○ ox: oxalate (\text{C}_2\text{O}_4^{2-})
○ bpy: 2,2'-bipyridine
○ phen: 1,10-phenanthroline
● Tridentate (three donor atoms):
○ dien: diethylenetriamine
(\text{H}_2\text{NCH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{NHCH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2)
● Tetradentate (four donor atoms):
○ trien: triethylenetetramine
○ porphyrins (e.g., heme)
● Pentadentate (five donor atoms):
○ EDTAH$^{-}$
● Hexadentate (six donor atoms):
○ EDTA: ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Understanding these naming conventions and being familiar with common ligands are crucial for
correctly naming and interpreting the formulas of transition metal compounds and coordination
complexes. Remember to always determine the oxidation state of the metal and pay attention to
the charge of the complex ion when applying the naming rules.
