chelation

che·late  (klt)

adj. Zoology

Having chelae or resembling a chela.

n. Chemistry

A chemical compound in the form of a heterocyclic ring, containing a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions.

tr.v. che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing, che·lates

1. Chemistry To combine (a metal ion) with a chemical compound to form a ring.

2. Medicine To remove (a heavy metal, such as lead or mercury) from the bloodstream by means of a chelate, such as EDTA.

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chelat·a·ble adj.

che·lation n.

chelator n.

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chelation  (k-lshn)

The combination of a metal ion with a chemical compound to form a ring. Chelation is used in the industrial separation and extraction of metals and to treat metal poisoning.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	chelation - (medicine) the process of removing a heavy metal from the bloodstream by means of a chelate as in treating lead or mercury poisoning physical process, process - a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states; "events now in process"; "the process of calcification begins later for boys than for girls" medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
	2.	chelation - the process of forming a ring by forming one or more hydrogen bonds chemical action, chemical change, chemical process - (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved