Question

Question #9ce37

Answer 1

Clearly, the oxygen atom is the donor atom towards a metal cation.

Explanation:

We often write `M^(n+)(aq)` to represent a metal ion in solution. By this we mean the `"aquated complex"`, the coordination complex if you like between the `M^(n+)` ion and several water ligands.

So when we write `Fe^(2+)(aq)` or `Na^(+)(aq)` we mean the hexaqua complexes, `[Fe(OH_2)_6]^(2+)` or `[Na(OH_2)_6]^(+)`. The oxygen atom has lone electron pairs, and clearly acts as the donor, i.e. as the base, towards a Lewis-acidic metal cation.