nonmultidentate

Nonmultidentate is a term used in chemistry, particularly in coordination chemistry, to describe a ligand that cannot bind to a metal ion through multiple donor atoms simultaneously. This is in contrast to multidentate ligands, also known as chelating ligands, which possess two or more donor atoms capable of forming coordinate bonds with a single metal center.

A nonmultidentate ligand, therefore, can only form one coordinate bond with a metal ion at a time. Such ligands are often referred to as monodentate ligands. Examples of monodentate ligands include simple molecules or ions like water (H2O), ammonia (NH3), chloride ion (Cl-), and cyanide ion (CN-). When these ligands coordinate to a metal, they typically attach through a single atom that possesses a lone pair of electrons, such as the oxygen atom in water, the nitrogen atom in ammonia, or the halogen atom in chloride.

The concept of denticity is crucial in determining the stability and structure of coordination complexes. Multidentate ligands, due to their ability to form multiple bonds, often lead to more stable complexes, a phenomenon known as the chelate effect. Nonmultidentate ligands, by their nature, contribute less to the overall stability through chelation, but they are still fundamental components in the formation of many coordination compounds. Their classification as nonmultidentate highlights their mode of binding, emphasizing a single point of attachment to the metal center.