Ch. 17 #35; 6th edition

[VGonzalez]

What exactly is a chelating complex and how can you tell if an isomer can form one?

[Mindy Kim 4C]

Chelating complexes are those that contain one or more ligands that form a ring of atoms that includes the central metal atom. In the case of #35, you can tell that only b will form a chelating complex based on where the NH2 compounds are bonded to the central compound. In molecules a and c, the NH2 compounds are placed too far apart to coordinate simultaneously with the same compound. Only in b are they close enough to do so.