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Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect

In complexation reactions, metal atoms or cations interact with ligands to form donor-acceptor adducts called metal complexes. Ligands that bind through one donor site are monodentate, ligands with two donor sites are bidentate, and those with more than two donor sites are polydentate ligands. For example, ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand that binds through two nitrogen donor atoms, forming a five-membered ring. EDTA is a polydentate ligand that binds through four oxygen and two nitrogen...

Complexometric Titration: Ligands

Complexometric Titration: Ligands

Different monodentate and polydentate ligands are used as complexing agents in complexometric titration reactions. The formation of complexes by mono- and bidentate ligands involves two or more intermediate steps, limiting their use as complexing agents. In comparison, polydentate ligands can form complexes with metal ions in a single-step process, facilitating sharper end points. This means polydentate ligands, such as amino carboxylic acid derivatives, are most commonly employed in...

Complexation Equilibria: Overview

Complexation Equilibria: Overview

Complexation reactions take place when dative or coordinate covalent bonds form between metal ions and ligands. The compounds formed in these reactions are called coordination compounds. The number of bonds formed between the metal ion and the ligands is called its coordination number. Generally, most metal ions in an aqueous solution are solvated by water molecules and thus exist as aqua complexes.
The equilibrium constant of the complexation reaction is represented as the formation constant...

EDTA: Chemistry and Properties

EDTA: Chemistry and Properties

Polydentate ligands are most widely used in complexometric titrations because they form more stable complexes with the metal ions than mono- or bidentate ligands due to the chelate effect. Examples of polydentate ligands are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), crown ethers, and cryptands. The most important feature of optimal polydentate ligands is the ability to form 1:1 complexes in a single-step process. Amino carboxylic acid derivatives are frequently used as complexing agents. EDTA is...

EDTA: Auxiliary Complexing Reagents

EDTA: Auxiliary Complexing Reagents

EDTA titrations are usually carried out in highly basic conditions, where the fully deprotonated form of EDTA, Y4−, actively complexes with the free metal ions in the solution. Several metal ions precipitate as hydrous oxide (hydroxides, oxides, or oxyhydroxides) under these conditions, lowering the concentration of free metal ions in the solution. For this reason, auxiliary complexing agents or ligands such as ammonia, tartrate, citrate, or triethanolamine are used in EDTA titrations to...

Metal-Ligand Bonds

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...

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Updated: May 23, 2026

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Published on: August 2, 2012

Supramolecular complexation for environmental control.

M Teresa Albelda¹, Juan C Frías, Enrique García-España

¹Departament de Química Inorgánica, ICMol, Universitat de València, C/Catedrático José Beltrán, 2. Paterna, Spain.

Chemical Society Reviews

|March 24, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Supramolecular complexes provide efficient methods for detecting and removing diverse environmental pollutants, from toxic ions to pesticides and drugs. These reusable complexes are key to developing advanced sensing and separation materials for a cleaner environment.

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Microfluidic On-chip Capture-cycloaddition Reaction to Reversibly Immobilize Small Molecules or Multi-component Structures for Biosensor Applications

Microfluidic On-chip Capture-cycloaddition Reaction to Reversibly Immobilize Small Molecules or Multi-component Structures for Biosensor Applications

Published on: September 23, 2013

Area of Science:

Supramolecular Chemistry
Environmental Science
Materials Science

Background:

Pollution from industrial processes, agriculture, and medicine poses significant environmental and health risks.
A wide range of pollutants, including toxic metal ions, anions, pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceuticals, contaminate ecosystems.
Existing methods for pollutant removal and monitoring often face limitations in efficiency and reusability.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the application of supramolecular complexes for the monitoring and removal of diverse environmental pollutants.
To highlight the role of host compounds and non-covalent interactions in sensing and separation technologies.
To explore the potential of immobilized host compounds in advanced materials for environmental remediation.

Main Methods:

Utilizing fast and reversible supramolecular complex formation based on non-covalent interactions.
Employing supramolecular chemistry principles for the design of selective host compounds.
Immobilizing host compounds onto solid supports like exchange resins or membranes for practical applications.

Main Results:

Supramolecular complexes demonstrate high efficiency in binding and removing various pollutants.
The reversible nature of complex formation allows for the indefinite reuse of expensive host compounds.
Immobilization strategies enhance the practicality and applicability of supramolecular systems in sensing and separation.

Conclusions:

The design of tailored supramolecular host compounds is crucial for effective pollutant management.
Advanced sensing and separation methods utilizing supramolecular chemistry offer solutions to pressing environmental pollution challenges.
Supramolecular chemistry, particularly with immobilized hosts, presents a promising avenue for developing smart materials for environmental remediation.