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Geometry Metal Complexes

In coordination chemistry, the coordination number is the number of ligands attached to the central ion (more specifically, the number of donor atoms). Coordination numbers are normally between two and nine. The number of bonds depends on the size, charge, and electron configuration of the metal ion and the ligands. Different ligand structural arrangements result from the coordination number. Most structures follow the pattern as if the central atom were in the middle and the corners of that shape are the locations of the ligands. These shapes are defined by orbital overlap between ligand and metal orbitals and ligand-ligand repulsions, which tend to lead to certain regular geometries. However, there are many cases that deviate from regular geometry.