Complex formation tendency
d-Block Elements (Transition Metals) · Chemistry
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EDTA traps Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ in hard water. Explain chelation. Step 1: EDTA is hexadentate — one molecule offers 6 donor atoms. Step 2: It wraps the metal ion like a claw (chelate = claw in Greek). Step 3: One EDTA replaces 6 water molecules → huge entropy gain. Step 4: The chelate complex is far more stable than 6 separate NH₃ ligands. Entropy wins!