Give formulas corresponding to the following names: (a) Tetraamminezinc sulfate (b) Pentaamminechlorochromium(III) chloride (c) Sodium bis(thiosulfato)argentate(I)

Coordination compounds consist of a central metal ion bonded to surrounding molecules or ions known as ligands. The central metal ion usually comes from transition metals, which have the ability to form multiple bonds with various ligands. Coordination compounds are significant in many biological systems and industrial applications.
For example, in the case of Tetraamminezinc sulfate, the central metal ion is zinc, which forms coordination bonds with four ammonia (NH₃) molecules. These compounds can vary widely in their structures and properties, but they always feature a metal ion at the center connected to ligands.
Understanding how to name and write the formulas for coordination compounds is crucial in chemistry. When dealing with these compounds, you must identify the following:

• The central metal ion
• Its oxidation state
• The ligands attached

By recognizing these components, you can determine both the names and the structures of the compounds efficiently.

Oxidation states indicate the degree of oxidation (loss of electrons) of an atom within a compound. It’s crucial to determine the oxidation state of the central metal ion in coordination compounds.
For instance, in the compound Pentaamminechlorochromium(III) chloride, the central metal is chromium with an oxidation state of +3 (denoted by the Roman numeral III in the name).
The oxidation state helps to balance the overall charge of the compound and plays a pivotal role in defining the properties and reactivity of the metal ion. Here’s how you can determine the oxidation state:

• Identify the total charge of the compound.
• Sum the charges from all ligands and counter ions.
• Solve for the metal’s charge using the net charge of the compound.

Understanding how to determine and apply oxidation states is essential for writing and naming coordination compounds correctly.

Ligands are molecules or ions that bind to the central metal ion in a coordination compound. They can vary in size, charge, and the number of donor atoms they possess. Ligands can act as either monodentate (binding through a single atom) or polydentate (binding through multiple atoms).
For example, in Sodium bis(thiosulfato)argentate(I), the ligand here is thiosulfate (S₂O₃²⁻), which binds to the silver ion. Identifying the correct ligands and knowing their structure helps in determining the correct formula for coordination compounds.
Here's how you can identify and work with ligands:

• Determine the names and charges of the ligands from the compound name.
• Understand the bonding pattern (how the ligand bonds to the metal ion).
• Note the number of each type of ligand.

By analyzing these aspects, you can accurately write the formulas for various coordination compounds and understand their behavior in different chemical contexts.