donoratomen

Donor atom, or donor atoms, is a term used across several scientific fields to describe an atom that supplies electron density to a recipient, either in a chemical bond or in a solid material. The concept is foundational in coordination chemistry, materials science, and related areas.

In coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry, a donor atom is the atom within a ligand that donates an electron pair to a central metal atom or ion, forming a coordinate covalent bond. Common donor atoms include nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Ligands can be monodentate, using one donor atom, or polydentate, using several donor atoms to bind the metal more strongly and influence complex geometry and reactivity.

In solid-state physics and materials science, a donor atom refers to an impurity that substitutes a host lattice atom and donates extra electrons to the conduction band, creating n-type conductivity. Classic donor dopants in silicon are phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony; in germanium, similar elements act as donors. The donor energy level lies close to the conduction band, allowing ionization at moderate temperatures and contributing free charge carriers.

Donor atoms also appear in broader discussions of electron density donation in ligands and redox-active systems. While terminology can vary by field, the core idea remains: a donor atom provides electron density to a recipient, whether a metal center, a lattice defect, or another chemical entity.