Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is A) not useful as a chelating agent. B) an effective antidote for heavy metal poisoning (e.g., Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺). C) a monodentate ligand. D) known to form unstable complex ions with Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, and Zn²⁺. E) known to form complexes with platinum that inhibit the growth of cancerous cells.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

EDTA is an effective chelating agent that can bind to and remove heavy metals from the body, making it an effective antidote for heavy metal poisoning. It can also form stable complexes with a variety of metal ions, including those of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn). However, it does not form unstable complexes with iron (Fe) and its monodentate nature means that it can only form one bond per molecule. Although studies have shown that EDTA can form complexes with platinum that inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, this is not the main use or application of EDTA.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) Is