Question

Write the name and structure of a hexadentate ligand.

Hint:

Hexadentate ligands, such as EDTA, are used in chelation therapy to bind metal ions and remove them from the body.

Answer 1

A hexadentate ligand is a ligand that can form six bonds with a metal center. An example of a hexadentate ligand is ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA). Its structure consists of a central ethylene group attached to four acetic acid groups, each containing a carboxylate group, which can donate electrons to the metal. The structure is as follows:
\[ \text{EDTA} = \text{CH}_2\text{N}\left(\text{CH}_2\text{COOH}\right)_2\text{CH}_2 \]