Ligandikus

Ligandikus is an adjective used in some languages to describe properties, phenomena, or applications related to ligands—substances that bind to a central atom or receptor.

In coordination chemistry, ligandikus concepts cover how ligands donate electron density to a metal center, their denticity (monodentate, bidentate, polydentate), and their binding modes. The ligand's donor atoms and its sigma-donor or pi-acceptor character influence the stability, geometry, and reactivity of metal complexes through ligand field effects and, in catalysis, through modulation of electronic structure.

In biochemistry and pharmacology, ligandikus interactions describe the binding between ligands and biological macromolecules such as enzymes and receptors, determining affinity, specificity, and downstream signaling.

Although the term exists in some linguistic contexts, it is not a standard English term in formal chemical literature; writers typically use “ligand-related” or “ligand-based” descriptions. Related concepts include ligand field theory, chelation, denticity, HSAB theory, and coordination chemistry.