Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2387 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Monodentate vs. Polydentate Ligands
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The idea
A monodentate ligand bonds through a single donor atom, while a polydentate, or chelating, ligand bonds through two or more donor atoms at once.
In practice
Chloride is monodentate, but ethylenediamine, with two donor nitrogens, is a bidentate chelating ligand.
Where people slip
Counting donor atoms, not total atoms in the ligand, determines denticity — a large ligand with one donor atom is still monodentate.
Your place on the trail
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