Complexation titrations may employ different monodentate or polydentate ligands. Polydentate ligands, such as derivatives of amino carboxylic acids, coordinate with metals via carboxylate oxygens and amine nitrogens. Unlike mono- and bidentate ligands, ligands with higher denticity generate more stable 1:1 metal chelates in a single-step process, facilitating sharp endpoints and making them the preferred choice among complexing agents. For example, the polydentate complexing agent EDTA can be used to quantify total water hardness, among other applications.