Editing Nitrite (section)

=== Coordination complexes ===
{{main|Transition metal nitrite complex}}
Nitrite is an [[ambidentate ligand]] and can form a wide variety of [[coordination complex]]es by binding to metal ions in several ways.<ref name=p461/> Two examples are the red nitrito complex [Co(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>5</sub>(ONO)]<sup>2+</sup> is [[metastable]], [[isomer]]izing to the yellow [[Nitropentaamminecobalt(III) chloride|nitro complex [Co(NH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>5</sub>(NO<sub>2</sub>)]<sup>2+</sup>]]. Nitrite is processed by several enzymes, all of which utilize coordination complexes.