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Which of the following species would not be expected to act as a ligand?

1. NO
2. NH4+
3. NH2CH2CH2NH2
4. Both (a) and (b)

Correct answer: NH4+

Solution

A ligand must have a donatable lone pair. In NH4+ all four bonds use nitrogen's electrons, leaving no lone pair, so it cannot act as a ligand. NO and ethylenediamine both have donor lone pairs, so only NH4+ fails.

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