Why does silver only can have a coordination number of 2?

Question: Why does silver only can have a coordination number of 2?

Answer: At it this way; you have Ag(OH₂)₂ + 2NH₃ –> Ag(NH₃)₂ + 2H₂O

Now the Gibbs free energy will be favorable, which is what drives the reaction (thermodynamically driven).

Now delta G = delta H – T delta S

Now entropy isn’t driving the reaction so enthalpy will be. Now you can think about why enthalpy is driving the reaction and you have your answer.