Chelating agent

in hematology and biology, any compound capable to bind one or more types of metals and subsequently cause their elimination from the body

Description
Certain organic compounds are capable of forming coordinate bonds (See chemical bond) with metals through two or more atoms of the organic compound; such organic compounds are called chelating agents. The compound formed by a chelating agent and a metal is called a chelate. A chelating agent that has two coordinating atoms is called bidentate; one that has three, tridentate; and so on. EDTA, or ethylenediaminetetraacetate, (-O2CH2)2NCH2CH2N(CH2CO2-)2, is a common hexadentate chelating agent. Chlorophyll is a chelate that consists of a magnesium ion joined with a complex chelating agent; heme, part of the hemoglobin in blood, is an iron chelate. Chelating agents are important in textile dyeing, water softening, and enzyme deactivation and as bacteriocides. Specific chelating agents have been found safe for use in humans with iron overload or aluminium overload, provided they are used in the appropriate dose and route of administration.