chelate
/ˈkiːleɪt/
verb
- To form a stable ring-shaped complex with a metal ion, often used in chemistry or medicine.
- Doctors use a special drug to chelate lead in patients with poisoning.
- The molecule can chelate iron, helping to remove excess metal from the body.
- Certain plants chelate minerals from the soil to absorb them more easily.
Synonyms
adjective
- Relating to or having a ring-shaped structure that binds to a metal ion.
- Chemists study chelate compounds to understand how metals interact with organic molecules.
- This chelate structure allows the molecule to hold onto copper tightly.
- The chelate ring is very stable due to its multiple bonds.
noun
- A chemical compound in which a metal ion is bonded to a molecule in a ring-shaped structure.
- Scientists synthesized a new chelate for use in medical imaging.
- This chelate helps the body absorb zinc more efficiently.
- The chelate is used in fertilizers to deliver essential nutrients to plants.