Denticity
The number of donor atoms a single ligand uses to bind to one metal centre.
Formula / equation
κⁿ or ηⁿ notation
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Denticity ranges from one for simple ligands to six for EDTA and beyond for macrocycles. It determines how many coordination sites a ligand occupies and, through the chelate effect, has a decisive influence on complex stability.
Examples in the real world
Ammonia has denticity 1, ethane-1,2-diamine 2, and EDTA 6.