polydentate ligand. A ligand that has more than one atom that coordinates directly to the central atom in a complex. Polydentate ligands are called chelating agents when two or more coordinating atoms are attached to the same metal ion in a complex. For example, EDTA or ethylenediaminotetracetic acid is a hexadentate ligand of calcium ion.
Refers to ligands with more than one donor atom.
Refers to ligands with more than one donor atom.