Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid, Edetic Acid, Versene, Chelating Agent, EDTA, 60-00-4

Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid, Edetic Acid, Versene, Chelating Agent, EDTA, 60-00-4

Basic Properties

• Chemical Formula: C10H16N2O8

• CAS Number: 60-00-4

• Molecular Weight: 292.24 g/mol

• Appearance: White crystalline powder

• Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (about 0.5 g/L at 25 °C)

• pH (1% solution): 4.0–5.0

• Melting Point: 237 °C

• Density: 0.86 g/cm³

• Storage Conditions: 2–8 °C

Structural Characteristics

• Belongs to the polyamino carboxylic acid group.

• Contains multiple -COOH and -NH2 groups.

• Strong ability to bind metal ions, forming stable complexes.

Applications

• Water Treatment: Prevents scale formation by binding calcium and magnesium ions.

• Detergents and Cleaning Agents: Improves cleaning efficiency by sequestering metal ions.

• Cosmetics: Stabilizes formulations and prevents oxidation.

• Food Industry: Preserves color, taste, and texture; extends shelf life.

• Pharmaceuticals: Used as an anticoagulant in blood samples.

• Agriculture: Enhances plant access to essential nutrients.

• Textiles and Paper: Supports bleaching processes and prevents catalytic damage.

• Electronics and Metal Plating: Assists in copper deposition for printed circuit boards.

• Industrial Use: Applied in coal plants, oil platforms, and polymer production as a cleaning or stabilizing agent.

Other Names

• Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

• Edetic Acid

• Versene

• Chelating Agent / Sequestering Agent

Major Types of EDTA and Their Uses

Key Application Areas

• Water Treatment: Na4EDTA is preferred for preventing scale and binding Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ions.

• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Na2EDTA stabilizes creams, shampoos, and lotions by preventing metal-catalyzed degradation.

• Food Industry: Na2EDTA acts as a preservative, maintaining color and flavor stability.

• Pharmaceuticals: CaNa2EDTA is used in chelation therapy for lead poisoning; Na2EDTA serves as an anticoagulant in blood samples.

• Agriculture: HEDTA and EDTA salts improve micronutrient availability to plants.

• Industrial Cleaning & Detergents: Na4EDTA enhances cleaning efficiency by sequestering metal ions.

• Textiles & Paper: EDTA salts prevent catalytic damage during bleaching and improve brightness.

Risks and Considerations

• Safety: EDTA salts are generally safe at regulated concentrations but can cause toxicity if misused, especially in medical applications.

• Environmental Impact: EDTA is persistent in the environment; wastewater treatment plants must manage its disposal carefully.

• Regulatory Limits: Food and pharmaceutical use is strictly controlled, with maximum allowable concentrations set by agencies like FDA and EFSA.

BASF PRODUCTS:

Chelating Agents

• Trilon® BS Ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA) Powder approx. 99 approx. 2.8 approx. 820
• Trilon® BS Powder Powder approx. 99 approx. 2.5––
• Trilon® BD Disodium salt of EDTA, dihydrate Powder ≥ 89 approx. 4.5 approx. 950
• Trilon® B Liquid Tetrasodium salt of EDTA Liquid approx. 40 approx. 11.5–approx. 1.31
• Trilon® B Powder Tetrasodium salt of EDTA, tetrahydrate Powder approx. 87 approx. 11.5 approx. 700
• Trilon® BX Liquid Tetrasodium salt of EDTA, pure form Liquid approx. 40 approx. 11.5–approx. 1.28
• Trilon® BX Powder Powder approx. 84 approx. 11.2 approx. 845
• Trilon® D Liquid Trisodium salt of Hydroxyethyl ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) Liquid approx. 40 approx. 11.5–approx. 1.26
• Trilon® M Liquid Trisodium salt of Methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) Liquid approx. 40 approx. 11.0–approx. 1.30
• Trilon® M EcoBalanced Liquid approx. 40 approx. 11.0–approx. 1.30
• Trilon® M Max EcoBalanced Gran Solid approx. 81 approx. 11.4 approx. 790