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Coordination Compounds formula sheet

Every formula in the Coordination Compounds chapter for JEE Main, with one line on when it applies. Topic 1 is open to everyone; sign in free to read all 27 and download the PDF.

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How we count: 7× asked means 7 past JEE Main questions in the PrepWiser bank needed that formula, and "last" is the latest year one appeared. ★ marks formulas asked 8 or more times.

Werner's theory, ligands and terminology

Werner's theory
8× asked, last 2025
primary valence=oxidation state (ionisable)secondary valence=coordination number\begin{aligned}&\text{primary valence}=\text{oxidation state (ionisable)}\\&\text{secondary valence}=\text{coordination number}\end{aligned}
Secondary: fixed, non-ionisable, directional (sets the shape). [CoCl(NHX3)X5]ClX2\ce{[CoCl(NH3)5]Cl2}: 3 and 6. Homoleptic: one kind of ligand.
Counting free ions
16× asked, last 2026
nAgCl=number of ClX− outside [ ]i=1+counter ions=ΔTfKf m\begin{aligned}&n_{\ce{AgCl}}=\text{number of }\ce{Cl-}\text{ outside }[\ ]\\&i=1+\text{counter ions}=\dfrac{\Delta T_f}{K_f\,m}\end{aligned}
Ions: [Co(NHX3)X6]ClX3\ce{[Co(NH3)6]Cl3} 4, [CoCl(NHX3)X5]ClX2\ce{[CoCl(NH3)5]Cl2} 3, [CoClX2(NHX3)X4]Cl\ce{[CoCl2(NH3)4]Cl} 2; [CoClX3(NHX3)X3]\ce{[CoCl3(NH3)3]} non-electrolyte.
Ligands and denticity
13× asked, last 2026
uni: ClX−, HX2O, NHX3, CObi: en (2 N), CX2OX4X2−, gly− (N, O), dmgH−hexa: EDTAX4− (2 N+4 O)ambidentate: NOX2X− (N/O), SCNX− (S/N), CNX− (C/N)\begin{aligned}&\text{uni: }\ce{Cl-},\ \ce{H2O},\ \ce{NH3},\ \ce{CO}\\&\text{bi: en }(2\,\ce{N}),\ \ce{C2O4^{2-}},\ \text{gly}^-\ (\ce{N},\ \ce{O}),\ \text{dmgH}^-\\&\text{hexa: }\ce{EDTA^{4-}}\ (2\,\ce{N}+4\,\ce{O})\\&\text{ambidentate: }\ce{NO2-}\ (\ce{N}/\ce{O}),\ \ce{SCN-}\ (\ce{S}/\ce{N}),\ \ce{CN-}\ (\ce{C}/\ce{N})\end{aligned}
Chelate: a polydentate ligand closing a ring. Ambidentate binds through one atom at a time.
Oxidation state
8× asked, last 2025
x+∑qligands=charge of the entity[Fe(HX2O)X5(NO)]X2+: NOX+, Fe(+1)\begin{aligned}&x+\textstyle\sum q_{\text{ligands}}=\text{charge of the entity}\\&\ce{[Fe(H2O)5(NO)]^{2+}}:\ \ce{NO+},\ \ce{Fe}(+1)\end{aligned}
Neutral: HX2O\ce{H2O}, NHX3\ce{NH3}, CO, en; −1: halide, CNX−\ce{CN-}, OHX−\ce{OH-}; −2: CX2OX4X2−\ce{C2O4^{2-}}; EDTA −4. CN counts donor atoms.

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Practise Coordination Compounds

23 more formulas in 6 topics

IUPAC nomenclature; Isomerism; Valence bond theory; Crystal field theory; Magnetic moment and colour; and Carbonyls, stability and applications. Read the first part free. Sign in free with Google to read the rest and download the PDF.

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IUPAC nomenclature

  • Naming order4×
  • Anionic complexes2×

Isomerism

  • Ionisation and solvate isomers6×
  • Linkage and coordination isomers5×
  • Geometrical isomers17×
  • Total stereoisomers15×

Valence bond theory

  • Inner and outer orbital17×
  • Nickel complexes15×

Crystal field theory

  • Splitting7×
  • High spin vs low spin17×
  • Spectrochemical series8×
  • Other factors11×
  • CFSE (octahedral)17×
  • Tetrahedral: always high spin11×

Magnetic moment and colour

  • Unpaired electrons18×
  • Spin-only magnetic moment32×
  • Colour14×
  • Common colours7×

Carbonyls, stability and applications

  • Synergic bonding6×
  • Carbonyl structures6×
  • Stability constant5×
  • Uses in biology and catalysis5×
  • Uses in analysis and metallurgy6×

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