chelate compound

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Word: Chelate Compound

Definition: A chelate compound is a special type of chemical structure where a metal ion is bonded to a molecule in a way that forms a ring. This molecule usually has at least two non-metal ions (like oxygen or nitrogen) that attach to the metal ion with strong connections called coordinate bonds.

Explanation:

• Metal Ion: This is a positively charged atom, which means it has more protons than electrons.
• Non-metal Ions: These are atoms that typically do not conduct electricity and are usually found on the right side of the periodic table.
• Coordinate Bonds: These are a type of bond where one atom donates a pair of electrons to another atom.

Usage Instructions:

• The term "chelate compound" is mainly used in chemistry. It is not a word you would use in everyday conversation, but you might encounter it in scientific discussions or studies.
• You can talk about chelate compounds when discussing their role in medicine, agriculture, or biochemistry.

Example:

• "EDTA is a chelate compound that is often used to treat heavy metal poisoning by binding to the metal ions in the body."

Advanced Usage:

• In advanced chemistry, chelate compounds are studied for their stability and reactivity in various environments. Scientists might explore how different ligands (the molecules that bond to the metal) affect the strength of the bond.

Word Variants:

• Chelation (noun): The process of forming a chelate compound.
• Chelator (noun): A substance that can form chelate compounds with metal ions.

Different Meanings:

• While "chelate" specifically refers to a type of chemical bonding, in some contexts it may broadly refer to the interaction of molecules in biochemistry.

Synonyms:

• Some related terms include "ligand" (a molecule that binds to a metal ion) and "complex" (a compound formed by the coordination of metal ions with ligands).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically associated with "chelate compound" since it is a specialized scientific term.

Summary:

A chelate compound is important in many fields, especially in chemistry and medicine, because it helps in understanding how metal ions behave in different environments.

Academic

Noun

1. a heterocyclic compound having a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions

Synonyms

• chelate