Which of the following best describes how to identify mono-, bi-, or tri-dentate ligands?

Identifying mono-, bi-, or tri-dentate ligands is primarily based on the number of donor atoms they have. A ligand is classified as monodentate if it has one donor atom capable of coordinating to a metal center via a single bond, as seen in ligands like ammonia (NH₃) or water (H₂O). Bidentate ligands have two donor atoms that can form bonds with the metal, examples being ethylenediamine or oxalate, while tridentate ligands possess three donor atoms, such as tris(2-aminoethyl)amine.

The nature of the donor atoms is what allows these ligands to attach to the central metal ion; thus, counting the donor atoms is essential for determining whether a ligand is monodentate, bidentate, or tridentate. This characteristic directly correlates to how many coordination sites a ligand can occupy, which plays a significant role in complex formation and stability.

Other options are not suitable for this identification process. The ability to donate multiple electrons relates more to the oxidation states and bonding characteristics but does not specify the number of coordination sites. Ionic charge can influence the behavior of a ligand in terms of stability and solubility but