CHELATING AGENTS

Chelating agents are organic compounds that have the ability to draw ions from their water solutions into soluble complexes. These agents are reactable against metal ions that form stabilized water-soluble complexes that are also referred to as chelators, chelant, or sequestering agents. Chelating agents contain at least one carbon and have ring-like centers that create at least two bonds with the elimination of the metal ion. Copper, lead, and iron are the metals that are held by specific chelating agents that can be used to treat them when found in high concentrations. Heavy metal poisoning can also be treated by chelating agents.