What is a chelating agent?

Chelation is a type of bonding of ions and molecules to metal ions. It involves the formation or presence of two or more separate coordinate bonds between a polydentate ligand and a single central atom. These ligands are called chelants, chelators, chelating agents, or sequestering agents.

Chemical compound that react with metal ions. They can form several covalent bonds to a metal without changing its own structure.

Explanation:

There's a list of chelating agents you can find in your book probably. An application of chelating agents is to transport metal ions across the membranes.

you should also know:

Chelating agents are any compound that reacts with a metal ion to produce a metal ion.

Ligand ion molecule or functional group that binds to another chemical to make a larger complex.

They are used to detoxify poisonous metal agents by binding and converting them so the body can excrete them without further harm.