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Coordination Compounds — Syllabus

Punjab Board · Class 12 · Chemistry

What Coordination Compounds covers in Punjab Board Class 12 Chemistry: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Topics include Werner's Theory of Coordination.

45 questions36 flashcards5 concepts

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4 Topics · Punjab Board Class 12 Chemistry · 2026-27

Topics in Coordination Compounds

1

Werner's Theory of Coordination Compounds

  • Alfred Werner (1866–1919) was a Swiss chemist who first systematically explained coordination compounds and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1913.
  • Werner proposed two types of valences for metal ions: PRIMARY VALENCE (ionisable, satisfied by negative ions) and SECONDARY VALENCE (non-ionisable, satisfied by neutral molecules or negative ions).
  • Primary valence = oxidation state of the metal; Secondary valence = coordination number of the metal.
2

Key Definitions and Terminology

  • COORDINATION ENTITY: The central metal atom/ion plus all its ligands, enclosed in square brackets.
  • CENTRAL ATOM/ION: The metal atom or ion at the centre of the coordination entity; acts as a Lewis acid (electron pair acceptor). Examples: Ni²⁺ in [NiCl₂(H₂O)₄], Co³⁺ in [CoCl(NH₃)₅]²⁺, Fe³⁺ in [Fe(CN
  • LIGAND: Ions or molecules bonded to the central atom; act as Lewis bases (electron pair donors). Can be simple ions (Cl⁻), small molecules (H₂O, NH₃), or large molecules (EDTA).
3

Nomenclature of Coordination Compounds

  • IUPAC rules are used for systematic naming. The cation is always named FIRST, then the anion.
  • FORMULA WRITING ORDER: Central metal first, then ligands listed ALPHABETICALLY. Entire coordination entity enclosed in square brackets [ ].
  • NAMING ORDER: Ligands are named ALPHABETICALLY before the central metal name. (Reverse of formula writing for ligand order.)
4

Isomerism in Coordination Compounds

  • ISOMERS: Compounds with same molecular formula but different arrangement of atoms, resulting in different properties.
  • TWO MAIN TYPES: (A) Stereoisomerism — same bonds, different spatial arrangement; (B) Structural isomerism — different bonds.
  • GEOMETRIC ISOMERISM (Stereoisomerism): Arises in heteroleptic complexes due to different spatial arrangements of ligands.

Key Concepts

A coordination compound consists ofAlfred Werner proposed that metals exhibitLigands are ions or molecules bondedCoordination number (CN) is the numberThe oxidation number of the central

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Coordination Compounds for Punjab Board Class 12 Chemistry?
Key topics in Coordination Compounds include Werner's Theory of Coordination Compounds, Key Definitions and Terminology, Nomenclature of Coordination Compounds, Isomerism in Coordination Compounds. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the Punjab Board Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise Coordination Compounds for the Punjab Board Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 45 practice questions on Coordination Compounds. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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