In coordination chemistry, metal ammine complexes are metal complexes containing at least one ammonia (NH3) ligand. "Ammine" is spelled this way due to historical reasons; in contrast, alkyl or aryl bearing ligands are spelt with a single "m". Almost all metal ions bind ammonia as a ligand, but the most prevalent examples of ammine complexes are for Cr(III), Co(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) as well as several platinum group metals.
Ammine complexes played a major role in the development of coordination chemistry, specifically determination of the stereochemistry and structure. They are easily prepared, and the metal-nitrogen ratio can be determined by elemental analysis. Through studies mainly on the ammine complexes, Alfred Werner developed his Nobel Prize-winning concept of the structure of coordination compounds (see Figure).
One of the first ammine complexes to be described was Magnus' green salt, which consists of the platinum tetrammine complex [Pt(NH3)4]2+.
Platinum group metals form many ammine complexes. Pentaamine(dinitrogen)ruthenium(II) and the Creutz–Taube complex are well studied examples or historic significance. The complex cis-PtCl2(NH3)2, under the name Cisplatin, was a revolutionary anticancer drug. Pentamminerhodium chloride is the dichloride salt of the dicationic pentammine complex [RhCl(NH3)5]2+. Ir is an intermediate in the purification of rhodium from its ores.
Carboplatin, a widely used anticancer drug.
Pentamminerhodium chloride, the dichloride salt one a cationic pentammine halide complex.
Pentaamine(dinitrogen)ruthenium(II) chloride, featuring the first metal dinitrogen complex.