bidentates

A bidentate is a ligand in coordination chemistry that can bind to a central metal atom through two donor atoms. This type of ligand is also referred to as a chelating agent. The "bi" in bidentate signifies two, and "dentate" refers to the points of attachment to the metal. Common examples of bidentate ligands include ethylenediamine (en), which has two nitrogen atoms that can donate electron pairs, and oxalate (ox), which has two oxygen atoms that can coordinate.

When a bidentate ligand binds to a metal, it forms a ring structure, known as a chelate ring. The formation of these rings generally increases the stability of the resulting complex compared to complexes formed with monodentate ligands (ligands that bind through only one donor atom). This phenomenon is known as the chelate effect. The size and geometry of the chelate ring, as well as the nature of the donor atoms and the metal ion, influence the stability and properties of the coordination complex. Bidentate ligands are crucial in various applications, including catalysis, analytical chemistry, and medicine, due to their ability to form stable and often specifically structured metal complexes. The study of bidentate ligands and their coordination chemistry is a fundamental aspect of inorganic chemistry.