A LevelChemistryEdexcelRevision Notes6. Advanced Inorganic ChemistryPrinciples of Transition Metal ChemistryTetrahedral Complexes

Tetrahedral Complexes (Edexcel A Level Chemistry): Revision Note

Exam code: 9CHO

Written by: Stewart Hird

Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll

Updated on 22 October 2026

Tetrahedral Complexes

When there are four coordinate bonds the complexes often have a tetrahedral shape
- Complexes with four chloride ions most commonly adopt this geometry
- Chloride ligands are large, so only four will fit around the central metal ion
The bond angles in tetrahedral complexes are 109.5^o
The complex shown is [CuCl₄]^2-:
- Four chloride ligands each donate a lone pair to Cu²⁺
- The Cl-Cu-Cl bond angle is 109.5
- Another example is [CoCl₄]^2-

Tetrahedral complex [CuCl4]2- with four chloride ligands donating lone pairs to copper and a bond angle of 109.5 degrees

Example of a tetrahedral complex

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Reviewer: Caroline Carroll

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