Polydentate ligands simple chelation

The variety and extent of research devoted to ligands carrying both O- and N-donors is simply immense. The type of cobalt(III) systems extant include amino acids, amino alcohols, amino ethers, amino phosphates, amino phenolates, as well as amide and imine analogs of these. These are met as simple chelates or more elaborate polydentates. Here, we highlight a strictly limited selection of examples to illustrate the type of systems reported no attempt at exhaustive review has been made. 

Simple inorganic ions and molecules like NH3, CN , Cl-, H20 form monodentate ligands, that is one ion or molecule occupies one of the spaces available around the central ion in the coordination sphere, but bidentate (like the dipyridyl ion), tridentate, and also tetradentate ligands are known. Complexes made of polydentate ligands are often called chelates, the name originating from the Greek word for the claw of the crab, which bites into an object like the polydentate ligand catches the central ion. The formation of chelate complexes is used extensively in quantitative chemical analysis (complexometric titrations). ... 

In simple complexes of lead with unidentate ligands, lead is usually in the Pb(IV) form. In chelated lead compounds with polydentate ligands, lead is usually in the Pb(II) form. These chelates, usually six-coordinate, are kinetically quite labile, although highly thermodynamically stable [73]. 

---