The donor atom in EDTA are two nitrogen (N) and four oxygen (O). It is a hexadentate ligand. It can bind through two nitrogen and four oxygen atoms to a central metal ion.
A coordination compound holds a central metal atom or ion surrounded by various oppositely charged ions or neutral molecules. These molecules or ions are re-bonded to the metal atom or ion by a coordinate bond.
Coordination entity:
A coordination entity composes of a central metal atom or ion bonded to a fixed number of ions or molecules.
Ligands:
A molecule, ion, or group which is bonded to the metal atom or ion in a complex or coordination compound by a coordinate bond is commonly called a ligand. It may be either neutral, positively, or negatively charged.
