MULTIDENTATE Meaning and
Definition
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Multidentate refers to a chemical compound or ligand that possesses multiple donor atoms capable of forming coordination bonds with a metal ion. This term is formed by combining the prefix "multi," meaning many, with "dentate," derived from the Latin word "dens," which means tooth. In coordination chemistry, it is common for metal ions to bind with ligands that contain lone pairs of electrons, forming coordination complexes.
A multidentate ligand is defined by having multiple sites or atoms that can form a coordinate bond with a metal ion. These sites are typically oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms. The ability of a ligand to form multiple bonds with a metal ion enhances its stability, as well as the stability of the resulting coordination complex.
The most widely used multidentate ligands are chelating agents, which consist of two or more donor atoms arranged in a ring-like structure. Chelating ligands can form complex structures with metal ions, leading to greater thermodynamic and kinetic stability compared to monodentate ligands. The increased number of donor atoms allows for stronger and more stable bonding interactions between the metal ion and the ligand.
Multidentate ligands find numerous applications in fields such as catalysis, bioinorganic chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. Their ability to form stable coordination complexes makes them valuable tools for designing and synthesizing new materials, drugs, and catalysts.
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Armed with many teeth, or teeth-like processes.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MULTIDENTATE
- nultidentate
- kultidentate
- jultidentate
- myltidentate
- mhltidentate
- mjltidentate
- miltidentate
- m8ltidentate
- m7ltidentate
- muktidentate
- muptidentate
- muotidentate
- mulridentate
- mulfidentate
- mulgidentate
- mulyidentate
- mul6identate
- mul5identate
- multudentate
- multjdentate
Etymology of MULTIDENTATE
The word "multidentate" comes from the combination of two Latin roots: "multi-", meaning many or multiple, and "dentate", derived from the Latin word "dens" meaning tooth. In scientific contexts, "dentate" is used to describe something that has teeth-like projections or is toothed. Therefore, "multidentate" refers to something that has multiple teeth-like projections or is toothed in several places.
