Question
Question: \(EDTA\) is hexadentate ligand and is used to remove hardness in water . A.True B.False...
EDTA is hexadentate ligand and is used to remove hardness in water .
A.True
B.False
Solution
The donor atoms , molecules or anions which donate a pair of electrons to the metal atom or ion and form a coordinate bond with it are called ligands . They attach with different metal atoms or ions to form complexes .
Complete step by step answer:
Hexadentate ligand is one in which there are six donor atoms .
EDTA is ethylenediaminetetraacetate and its structure is as shown below :
H2C−N¨<CH2COO:−CH2COO:− H2C∣−N¨<CH2COO:−CH2COO:−
As we can see from the structure that it has six donor atoms , that is , two nitrogen and four oxygen atoms ( of the carboxylic acid groups ) capable of bonding to the metal atom . Hence it is a hexadentate ligand .
As we know that hardness of water is due to presence of calcium and magnesium ions which are metal ions and can form complex ligands .
EDTA is a hexadentate ligand and hence it coordinates through two nitrogen atoms and four oxygen atoms with the metal ion and forms stable complexes .
Since , the metal ions ( Ca2+,Mg2+ ) form stable complexes with EDTA , it is used to remove the hardness of water .
Note:
EDTA is the most commonly used hexadentate ligand . A lot of metal ions react completely with this ligand at an appropriate pH to form stable complexes . The disodium salt of ethylene diamine tetraacetate is commonly used because of its better solubility in water .