Complex Ions: Metal and Ligand Stability

Complex ions form when a metal cation accepts electron pairs from ligands, which are the electron pair donors. The stability of these metal complexes depends mainly on the metal ion and on the ligands attached to it.

The metal ion’s size and charge play a major role in stability. As the size of t...

The stability of metal complexes depends on the nature of the central metal ion and the attached ligands.

So, small ions with a high positive charge on the metal attract many ligands strongly to form stable complexes.

Metal ions are classified as class A and class B metals.

Class A metals like alkali, alkaline earth and meta...