Question

Define bidentate ligand ?

Answer 1

Bidentate ligand is a ligand that has two "teeth" or atoms that coordinate directly to the central atom in a complex. An example of a bidentate ligand is ethylenediamine. A single molecule of ethylenediamine can form two bonds to a metal ion.

Answer 2

Bidentate ligands are Lewis bases that donate two pairs ("bi") of electrons to a metal atom. Bidentate ligands are often referred to as chelating ligands ("chelate" is derived from the Greek word for "claw") because they can "grab" a metal atom in two places.