The maximum possible denticities of EDTA towards a common transition metal ion and an inner-transition metal ion, respectively, are: (EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetate)

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Strategy:
 Evaluate the structure of EDTA and how coordination numbers scale with atomic/ionic radii.

Step 1: Denticity for common transition metals
EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) has 6 donor sites: 2 Nitrogen atoms and 4 Oxygen atoms (from carboxylate groups).
For transition metals (like , , ), coordination number 6 is the standard max, so EDTA acts as a hexadentate ligand (denticity = 6).

Step 2: Denticity for inner-transition metals
Inner-transition metals (lanthanides and actinides, li

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