Draw two linkage isomers of [PtCl3(SCN)]2-.

Coordination chemistry is a branch of inorganic chemistry that deals with the study of coordination compounds or complexes. These compounds consist of a central metal atom or ion that is surrounded by molecules or ions known as ligands. The metal and ligands are held together by coordinate covalent bonds, where the ligands donate a pair of electrons to the metal center.

In the given exercise, the complex \([PtCl_3(SCN)]^{2-}\) illustrates a fascinating aspect of coordination chemistry - the phenomenon of linkage isomerism. This is when a single ligand can bind to a central metal in more than one distinct way, leading to isomers with different properties. When drawing linkage isomers, it is crucial to show which atom in the ligand is directly attached to the metal ion, as this can influence the shape, reactivity, and overall behavior of the compound.

Ligand bonding refers to the interaction between a central metal atom or ion and a ligand in a coordination complex. This type of bonding involves the ligand donating an electron pair to the metal, which typically has vacant orbitals ready to accept these electrons.

The ligand SCN−, known as thiocyanate, is ambidentate, meaning it has multiple binding sites - the sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) atoms. Each binding site offers a different mode of attachment to the platinum (Pt) ion, which results in linkage isomers. Ambidentate ligands like SCN− add a layer of complexity to coordination chemistry because their bonding choice can influence the electronic arrangement and properties of the complex. Understanding how ligands bond with metal centers is essential to predict and manipulate the behavior of coordination compounds.

Inorganic chemistry is the study of inorganic compounds, which typically are compounds without carbon-hydrogen bonds, including metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds. This field encompasses a wide variety of substances, from simple salts to complex coordination compounds like those found in the exercise.

The study of complexes such as \([PtCl_3(SCN)]^{2-}\) is an integral part of inorganic chemistry because it involves the behavior of metals and non-metals in various bonding scenarios. This example shows the importance of inorganic chemistry in understanding compounds with industrial and medicinal applications, where manipulating linkage isomers can lead to materials with specific desired properties. Grasping the underlying principles of inorganic chemistry is beneficial for predicting reactions, synthesizing new compounds, and advancing technologies.