Bicoordinate

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Describing a chemical or molecular arrangement where an atom or ion is connected to exactly two other atoms or groups in a structure ; relating to a state of coordination in chemistry involving two bonds ; characterizing a bonding situation with dual points of attachment within a compound
2. Pertaining to a configuration where a central element forms exactly two coordinate bonds ; indicating a type of chemical bonding with two ligands attached to a central atom ; referring to molecular structures that exhibit twofold coordination of an atom or ion
3. Relating to coordination chemistry involving an atom linked to two other entities through coordination bonds ; describing a bonding pattern defined by two coordination sites ; applied to atoms or ions that occupy a position with two points of chemical interaction in a compound

Etymology: "Bicoordinate" is a plain technical formation: the prefix "bi-", meaning "two" (from Latin "bis", "twice"), attached to "coordinate". In chemistry, "coordinate" refers to a bond in which both electrons come from one of the atoms involved, and a bicoordinate molecule or atom is one that forms two such bonds. The word therefore describes a count of bonds rather than anything about arrangement or rank. The pattern is typical of scientific vocabulary built from familiar parts: "bi-" is combined with an existing term to give a precise numerical sense, much as "bidentate" or "bivalent" are formed. The meaning follows directly from the parts, so the word is best understood as a compound coined to label a specific kind of chemical bonding.

Synonyms: two-coordinate, dual-coordinate, bidentate, two-ligand, dual-ligand

Antonyms: monocoordinate, unicoordinate, tricoordinate, multicoordinate