Hi!
I would like to ask your help to find out whether two terms "complexation" and "coordination" are synonyms or they are not? I am pretty sure that they are, but I just can not find good references to prove that...
Into Nomenclature of inorganic chemistry: IUPAC recommendations 2005:
"Each coordination compound either is, or contains, a coordination entity (or complex) that consists of a central atom to which other groups are bound."
Yes, but better use complexation when you refer explicitly to the "reaction mechanism" as you consider neutralization, oxidation/reduction etc. , while coordination term tells more of the nature of reaction or "bonding mechanism" as opposed to other types (metallic, ionic). All in all very subtle difference, was just my opinion.
Possibly you have seen terms like "coordination complex" together. As far I know "complex" is older but is still used a lot despite IUPAC recommendation (IUPAC inorganic NOMENCLATURE (1990). So coordination is more scientific update in terms of chemistry. Whatever, it is just a weaker version of covalent bonding, but due to great applied significance has turned out to be an independent chapter of inorganic chemistry.
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