Coordination geometry

The coordination geometry of an atom is the geometrical pattern formed by the coordination of ligands to a metal in a molecule or a coordination complex. The geometrical arrangement of the ligands vary according to the number of ligands bonded to the metal centre, and to the coordination preference of the metal. The number of ligands can vary from two to eleven ligands per metal.

One of the most common coordination geometries is octahedral, where six ligands are coordinated to the metal in a symmetrical distribution, leading to the formation of an octahedron if lines were drawn between the ligands. Other common coordination geometries are tetrahedral and square planar.