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Denticity refers to the number of atoms in a single ligand that bind to a central metal in a coordination complex. In most cases, only one atom in the ligand binds to the metal, so the denticity equals one, and the ligand is said to be monodentate (mono = 1). For bidentate ligands, such as oxalate (ox) or ethylenediamine (en), the ligand binds to the metal at two points. EDTA is a hexadentate ligand which forms a strong chelate by binding to a central metal at up to six different points (depending on pH).

The word denticity is derived from the same root as dentist, i.e. tooth. The ligand is thought of as biting the metal at one or more linkage points.

Denticity is distinguished from hapticity, in which electrons of a bond or conjugated series of bonds are linked to the central metal without the metal-ligand bond being localized to a single ligand atom.

[edit] See also

• ligand.

[edit] External links

• EDTA chelation lecture notes. 2.4MB PDF - Slide 3 on denticity