Example of a Bidentate Ligand

A bidentate ligand has two points at which it can attach to the central atom. One example of such a ligand is:

oxalate ion
The oxalate ion consists of two single-bonded carbon atoms. Attached to each carbon is one single-bonded and one double-bonded oxygen atom.

The two single-bonded oxygen atoms can each donate electrons to a central atom. Three oxalate ions can coordinate a single central atom, giving an octahedral complex. The result looks like this:

trisoxalatochromate(III) ion or just [Cr(ox)3]3-

To help you visualize what is going on, here is an interactive model of the same complex ion. The oxalate ligands are shown as heavy sticks.

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