what is a chelate
Chelate, any of a class of coordination or complex compounds consisting of a central metal atom attached to a large molecule, called a ligand, in a cyclic or ring structure. An example of a chelate ring occurs in the ethylenediamine-cadmium complex:
The word chelate derives from the Greek word chel, meaning a crabs claw, and refers to the pincer-like manner in which the metal is bound. Chemically, a chelate is a compound from complexing of cations with organic compounds resulting in a ring structure. Typical structure of chelates with known organic acids are shown below for citric acid, tartaric acid, gluconic acid and glycine. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHELATION PROCESS IN SOIL ARE: