Diethylenetriamine is :-

Options

A. Chelating agent
B. Tridentate neutral molecule
C. Tridentate monoanion
D. (1) and (2) both

Explanation

To determine the classification of diethylenetriamine (DETA), we will analyze its structure and properties step by step.

### Step 1: Understanding Diethylenetriamine Structure
Diethylenetriamine is a polyamine with the chemical formula C4H11N3. It consists of two ethylene groups and three amine (–NH2) functional groups.

**Hint:** Look at the molecular structure to identify the number of donor atoms.

### Step 2: Identifying Donor Atoms
In diethylenetriamine, there are three nitrogen atoms that can donate electron pairs. Each nitrogen atom can act as a donor site for coordination with a metal ion.

**Hint:** Count the number of nitrogen atoms in the molecule to determine the donor sites.

### Step 3: Determining Chelating Properties
A chelating agent is a molecule that can form multiple bonds with a single metal ion. Diethylenetriamine is classified as a tridentate ligand because it can bind to a metal ion through its three nitrogen donor atoms, forming a stable ring structure.

**Hint:** Recall the definition of tridentate ligands and how they bind to metal ions.

### Step 4: Assessing Charge and Neutrality
Diethylenetriamine is a neutral molecule because it does not carry a net charge. The amine groups do not ionize under normal conditions, which means it remains neutral in solution.

**Hint:** Check the overall charge of the molecule to determine if it is neutral.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- Diethylenetriamine is a chelating agent.
- It is a tridentate ligand due to its three donor nitrogen atoms.
- It is a neutral molecule.

Thus, the correct classification of diethylenetriamine is that it is a tridentate neutral molecule.

**Final Answer:** Diethylenetriamine is a tridentate neutral molecule.