(C) ligand is defined as a species that can donate a lone pair of electrons to a central metal atom or ion to form a coordinate bond.In $NH_3$,the nit

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$NH_4^+$ ion does not have any lone pair of electrons

(C) ligand is defined as a species that can donate a lone pair of electrons to a central metal atom or ion to form a coordinate bond.In $NH_3$,the nitrogen atom has one lone pair of electrons available for donation.In $NH_4^+$,the nitrogen atom has used all its valence electrons to form four $N-H$ covalent bonds,leaving no lone pair of electrons available for donation.Therefore,$NH_4^+$ cannot act as a ligand.

Class 12 Chemistry Coordination Compounds Basic Terms

Medium

Ammonia acts as a ligand but ammonium ion does not form complexes because

A
$NH_3$ is a gas while $NH_4^+$ is in liquid form
B
$NH_3$ undergoes $sp^3$ hybridisation while $NH_4^+$ undergoes $sp^3d$ hybridisation
C
$NH_4^+$ ion does not have any lone pair of electrons
D
$NH_4^+$ ion has one unpaired electron while $NH_3$ has two unpaired electrons