Coordination Compound Definition

Definition of Coordination Compound

Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is an example of a coordination compound. Zephyris/Wikimedia Commons/CC SA 3.0
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated July 11, 2019

A coordination compound is a compound containing one or more coordinate bonds, which is a link between a pair of electrons in which both electrons are donated by one of the atoms. In other words, it is a compound that contains a coordination complex.

Coordination Compound Examples

Most metal complexes or compounds except for alloys are examples of coordination compounds. Specific examples include hemoglobin, chlorophyll, dyes, pigments, vitamin B12, enzymes, catalysts, and Ru3(CO)12.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Coordination Compound Definition." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-coordination-compound-604413. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). Coordination Compound Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-coordination-compound-604413 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Coordination Compound Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-coordination-compound-604413 (accessed April 22, 2021).