Chelación

Chelación is a chemical process where a molecule, known as a chelating agent or ligand, binds to a central metal ion at two or more points, forming a ring-like structure. This "claw-like" grip effectively sequesters the metal ion, preventing it from participating in other chemical reactions. The resulting complex is called a chelate.

Common chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid, and certain amino acids. The strength of the chelation depends on the nature of the metal ion and the chelating agent, as well as the pH of the solution.

Chelation has numerous applications across various fields. In medicine, it is used to treat heavy metal poisoning, such as lead or mercury poisoning, by forming soluble complexes that can be excreted from the body. In agriculture, chelated micronutrients are used in fertilizers to improve plant uptake of essential metals like iron and zinc, which are often poorly soluble in soil. The food industry utilizes chelation to prevent metal-catalyzed oxidation, which can degrade food quality and shelf life. In water treatment, chelation can be employed to remove unwanted metal ions.