Linkage isomerism
In chemistry, linkage isomerism or ambidentate isomerism is a form of structural isomerism in which certain coordination compounds have the same composition but differ in which atom of the ligand is bonded to the metal. Typical ligands that give rise to linkage isomers are: cyanide, CN− – isocyanide, NC− cyanate, OCN− – isocyanate, NCO− thiocyanate, SCN− – isothiocyanate, NCS− selenocyanate, SeCN− – isoselenocyanate, NCSe− nitrite, NO−2 sulfite, SO2−3 An example of chemicals that are linkage isomers is violet-colored [(NH3)5Co-SCN]2+ and orange-colored [(NH3)5Co-NCS]2+.