Chelation

Chelation is a type of bonding of <a href="/facts/Ions/wrbwhF3z">ions</a> and their molecules to metal ions. It involves the formation or presence of two or more separate <a href="/facts/Coordinate_bond/t7NPflnQ">coordinate bonds</a> between a <a href="/facts/Denticity/hJF1lAJz">polydentate</a> (multiple bonded) <a href="/facts/Ligand/6etB3qeW">ligand</a> and a single central metal atom. These ligands are called chelants, chelators, chelating agents, or sequestering agents. They are usually <a href="/facts/Organic_compound/gqCNaN45">organic compounds</a>, but this is not a necessity.
The word chelation is derived from <a href="/facts/Greek_language/pzDd6eIz">Greek</a> χηλή, chēlē, meaning "claw"; the ligands lie around the central atom like the claws of a <a href="/facts/Crab/GvkhXnSK">crab</a>. The term chelate (/ˈkiːleɪt/) was first applied in 1920 by Sir <a href="/facts/Gilbert_Thomas_Morgan/G55eAJ3z">Gilbert T. Morgan</a> and H. D. K. Drew, who stated: "The adjective chelate, derived from the great claw or chele (Greek) of the crab or other crustaceans, is suggested for the caliperlike groups which function as two associating units and fasten to the central atom so as to produce <a href="/facts/Heterocyclic/8oYSjJxY">heterocyclic</a> rings."
Chelation is useful in applications such as providing nutritional supplements, in <a href="/facts/Chelation_therapy/BtIB1o8I">chelation therapy</a> to remove toxic metals from the body, as <a href="/facts/Contrast_medium/uVoPWL7Q">contrast agents</a> in <a href="/facts/MRI/Vh9yG9qq">MRI scanning</a>, in manufacturing using <a href="/facts/Homogeneous_catalyst/c7wplnb2">homogeneous catalysts</a>, in chemical <a href="/facts/Water_treatment/nIstBCdG">water treatment</a> to assist in the removal of metals, and in <a href="/facts/Fertilizer/ysh3r6NJ">fertilizers</a>.

Chelation open-in-new

Chelation