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Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is typically supplied as a hydrated crystalline material that is more soluble and easier to incorporate into formulations than the free acid (EDTA), enabling precise pH control and efficient metal sequestration across a wide pH range.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is considered a cornerstone compound in analytical chemistry, water treatment, and biochemical applications, where its ability to precisely bind metals supports buffering, anticoagulation, and stabilization of biological and chemical systems.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt, is an aminopolycarboxylic acid with the formula [CH2N(CH2CO2H)2]2.
CAS Number: 60-00-4
Molecular Formula: C10H16N2O8
Molecular Weight: 292.24
EINECS Number: 200-449-4
Synonyms: EDTA, Edetic acid, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 60-00-4, Edathamil, Sequestrol, Havidote, Titriplex, EDTA acid, Versene acid, Cheelox, Gluma cleanser, Sequestrene aa, Sequestric acid, Warkeelate acid, Komplexon ii, Tetrine acid, Quastal Special, Metaquest A, Trilon bw, Titriplex II, Hamp-ene acid, Cheelox BF acid, Trilon BS, Celon A, Celon ATH, Chelest 3A, Questex 4H, (Ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid, Chemcolox 340, Acide edetique, Acido edetico, Universne acid, EDTA (chelating agent), Dissolvine E, Vinkeil 100, Nullapon B acid, Nullapon bf acid, Nervanaid B acid, Perma kleer 50 acid, Clewat TAA, Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid, Acidum edeticum, Caswell No. 438, ICRF 185, Ethylenebisiminodiacetic acid, Ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, SEQ 100, YD 30, CCRIS 946, Ethylenebis(iminodiacetic acid), HSDB 809, Acide ethylenediaminetetracetique, ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETIC ACID, Acide edetique [INN-French], Acido edetico [INN-Spanish], Acidum edeticum [INN-Latin], Acetic acid, (ethylenedinitrilo)tetra-, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 039101, Kyselina ethylendiamintetraoctova, Tricon bw, Acid, Edetic, AI3-17181, H4edta, 3,6-Diazaoctanedioic acid, 3,6-bis(carboxymethyl)-, EINECS 200-449-4, UNII-9G34HU7RV0, BRN 1716295, 9G34HU7RV0, Acetic acid, 2,2',2'',2'''-(1,2-ethanediyldinitrilo)tetrakis-, DTXSID6022977, N,N'-1,2-Ethanediylbis(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine), CHEBI:42191, N,N'-1,2-Ethane diylbis-(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine), {[-(BIS-CARBOXYMETHYL-AMINO)-ETHYL]-CARBOXYMETHYL-AMINO}-ACETIC ACID, ethylenediamine tetracetic acid, DTXCID902977, (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid, ion(4-), EC 200-449-4, (ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetic acid, ([2-(Bis-carboxymethyl-amino)-ethyl]-carboxymethyl-amino)-acetic acid, (ethylenedinitrilo)tetra-aceticaci, (Ethylenedintrilo)tetraacetic acid, {[2-(Bis-carboxymethyl-amino)-ethyl]-carboxymethyl-amino}-acetic acid, 2,2’,2’’,2’’’-(1,2-ethanediyldinitrilo)tetrakis-aceticaci, 3,6-bis(carboxymethyl)-6-diazaoctanedioicacid, 3,6-Diazaoctanedioic acid, 3,6-bis(carboxymethyl)-, Acetic acid, (ethylenedinitrilo)tetra-
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is a water-soluble salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, a synthetic aminopolycarboxylic acid that functions primarily as a metal ion chelator, coordinating with metal cations through its six donor sites (two amine groups and four carboxylate groups), forming highly stable hexadentate complexes.
By chelating divalent and trivalent ions (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺), it effectively inhibits metal-catalyzed oxidation, scale formation, precipitation, and protein instability — making it a critical component in pharmaceuticals, personal care, laboratory reagents, and industrial water systems.
This white, slightly water-soluble solid is widely used to bind to iron (Fe2+/Fe3+) and calcium ions (Ca2+), forming water-soluble complexes even at neutral pH.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is thus used to dissolve Fe- and Ca-containing scale as well as to deliver iron ions under conditions where its oxides are insoluble.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is available as several salts, notably disodium EDTA, sodium calcium edetate, and tetrasodium EDTA, but these all function similarly.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is a key member of the polyaminocarboxylate chelator family, designed to tightly coordinate metal ions through multiple coordination bonds, creating a highly stable chelate ring structure that prevents metals from participating in catalytic, oxidative, or precipitation reactions.
It acts as a sequestrant, complexing agent, and metal scavenger, controlling trace metal contamination in sensitive systems such as biopharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cleaning formulations, and analytical solutions.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt’s unique structure classifies it as a hexadentate ligand — meaning each molecule can bind to a metal ion at six separate electron-donating sites, enabling the formation of thermodynamically stable 1:1 complexes that remain intact over broad pH and temperature conditions.
The addition of two sodium ions increases its ionic compatibility and dissolution in water, which makes it far more practical for formulation use than protonated EDTA acid forms — while retaining identical chelating performance upon pH adjustment.
In biological environments, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt can selectively bind calcium and magnesium ions, influencing cell membranes, enzyme activities, and blood coagulation, which is why it is commonly used in anticoagulant blood collection tubes and metal-dependent enzyme studies.
Its capacity to inhibit metal-driven autoxidation processes and free radical formation has made it an essential excipient in stabilizing sensitive actives, enhancing shelf-life, preventing rancidity, and improving product clarity and performance.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is a chelating agent derived from EDTA, where two of the four acidic protons are replaced by sodium ions, improving its solubility and handling in aqueous systems.
It is widely used to bind and sequester metal ions (such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Cu²⁺), forming stable complexes that prevent undesirable metal-catalyzed reactions.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt appears as a white, odorless crystalline powder and is commonly utilized in chemical, medical, cosmetic, food, and industrial formulations requiring controlled metal ion removal or stabilization.
Melting point: 250 °C (dec.) (lit.)
Boiling point: 434.18 °C (rough estimate)
Bulk density: 600 kg/m³
Density: 1.46 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Vapor pressure: <0.013 hPa (20 °C)
Refractive index: n20/D 1.363
Flash point: >400 °C DIN 51758
Storage temp.: 2–8 °C
Solubility: 3 M NaOH: 100 mg/mL
Form: Crystalline
pKa: pKa 2 (Uncertain), 10.26 (Uncertain)
Color: White to almost white
Odor: Odorless
pH Range: 2.5 at 10 g/L at 23 °C
pH: 2.5 (10 g/L, H₂O, 23 °C) (slurry)
Water solubility: 0.5 g/L (25 °C)
λmax: λ: 280 nm Amax: ≤0.25
Decomposition: 240 °C
Merck: 14,3517
BRN: 1716295
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with copper, copper alloys, nickel, aluminium, strong oxidizing agents, strong bases
LogP: –0.836 (est)
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is a chelating agent engineered to control metal ion activity through the formation of extremely stable coordination complexes, governed by high formation constants (Kf) with cations such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺.
The molecule exhibits polydentate ligand behavior, coordinating metal centers through two nitrogen atoms and four carboxylate oxygen atoms, forming a five-membered chelate ring around each coordination site — a structural feature responsible for its exceptional stability and functional versatility.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is classified as an anticoagulant, stabilizer, and metal scavenger, with strong influence on biological systems where metal-dependent processes drive enzyme activity, coagulation pathways, membrane transport, and oxidative degradation.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt enables precise metal ion quantification and control, making it an indispensable reagent in complexometric titration, clinical chemistry, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical formulation, where trace metal levels must be strictly regulated.
In aqueous media, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt behaves as a pH-sensitive ligand — fully activated chelation occurs when carboxylate groups are deprotonated (typically pH ≥ 6), ensuring predictable, tunable metal-binding performance across industrial and laboratory environments.
Its thermodynamic and kinetic stability prevents metal ions from re-entering solution or catalyzing reactions, which is critical for preventing radical formation, discoloration, oxidative rancidity, and precipitation in cosmetic, food, and medicinal products.
From a materials chemistry perspective, Na₂EDTA is valued for its compatibility with polymer systems, metal surfaces, and biological interfaces — enabling metal detoxification, water softening, scale prevention, and enhancement of formulation clarity and shelf stability.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt was used in separation of the lanthanide metals by ion-exchange chromatography.
Perfected by F. H. Spedding et al. in 1954, the method relies on the steady increase in stability constant of the lanthanide Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt complexes with atomic number.
Using sulfonated polystyrene beads and Cu2+ as a retaining ion, EDTA causes the lanthanides to migrate down the column of resin while separating into bands of pure lanthanides.
The lanthanides elute in order of decreasing atomic number. Due to the expense of this method, relative to countercurrent solvent extraction, ion exchange is now used only to obtain the highest purities of lanthanides (typically greater than 99.99%).[citation needed]
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt serves as a preservative (usually to enhance the action of another preservative such as benzalkonium chloride or thiomersal) in ocular preparations and eyedrops.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt derivative, is used to bind metal ions in the practice of chelation therapy, such as for treating mercury and lead poisoning.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is used in a similar manner to remove excess iron from the body.
This therapy is used to treat the complication of repeated blood transfusions, as would be applied to treat thalassaemia.
Some alternative practitioners believe EDTA acts as an antioxidant, preventing free radicals from injuring blood vessel walls, therefore reducing atherosclerosis.
These ideas are unsupported by scientific studies, and seem to contradict some currently accepted principles.
The U.S. FDA has not approved it for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
In medical diagnosis and organ function tests (here, kidney function test), the chromium(III) complex [Cr(EDTA)]− (as radioactive chromium-51 (51Cr)) is administered intravenously and its filtration into the urine is monitored.
This method is useful for evaluating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in nuclear medicine.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is used extensively in the analysis of blood.
It is an anticoagulant for blood samples for CBC/FBCs, where the Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt chelates the calcium present in the blood specimen, arresting the coagulation process and preserving blood cell morphology.
Tubes containing Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt are marked with lavender (purple) or pink tops.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is also in tan top tubes for lead testing and can be used in royal blue top tubes for trace metal testing.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is a slime dispersant, and has been found to be highly effective in reducing bacterial growth during implantation of intraocular lenses (IOLs).
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt solutions to remove inorganic debris (smear layer) and lubricate the root canals in endodontics.
This procedure helps prepare root canals for obturation.
Furthermore, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt solutions with the addition of a surfactant loosen up calcifications inside a root canal and allow instrumentation (canal shaping) and facilitate apical advancement of a file in a tight or calcified root canal towards the apex.
Uses Of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt:
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is widely used in industry.
It also has applications in food preservation, medicine, cosmetics, water softening, in laboratories, and other fields.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is mainly used to sequester (bind or confine) metal ions in aqueous solution.
In the textile industry, it prevents metal ion impurities from modifying colours of dyed products.
In the pulp and paper industry, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt inhibits the ability of metal ions, especially Mn2+, from catalysing the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide, which is used in chlorine-free bleaching.
In the laboratory, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is widely used for scavenging metal ions: In biochemistry and molecular biology, ion depletion is commonly used to deactivate metal-dependent enzymes, either as an assay for their reactivity or to suppress damage to DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt also acts as a selective inhibitor against dNTP hydrolyzing enzymes (Taq polymerase, dUTPase, MutT), liver arginase and horseradish peroxidase independently of metal ion chelation.
These findings urge the rethinking of the utilisation of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt as a biochemically inactive metal ion scavenger in enzymatic experiments.
In analytical chemistry, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is used in complexometric titrations and analysis of water hardness or as a masking agent to sequester metal ions that would interfere with the analyses.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt finds many specialised uses in the biomedical labs, such as in veterinary ophthalmology as an anticollagenase to prevent the worsening of corneal ulcers in animals.
In tissue culture, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is used as a chelating agent that binds to calcium and prevents joining of cadherins between cells, preventing clumping of cells grown in liquid suspension, or detaching adherent cells for passaging.
In histopathology, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt can be used as a decalcifying agent making it possible to cut sections using a microtome once the tissue sample is demineralised.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is also known to inhibit a range of metallopeptidases, the method of inhibition occurs via the chelation of the metal ion required for catalytic activity.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt can also be used to test for bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments.
However, it may influence the bioavailability of metals in solution, which may pose concerns regarding its effects in the environment, especially given its widespread uses and applications.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt− is used for removing ("scrubbing") hydrogen sulfide from gas streams.
This conversion is achieved by oxidising the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur, which is non-volatile:
Widely used in cosmetics and personal care products (shampoos, lotions, cleansers) to stabilize formulations by preventing metal-catalyzed oxidation, discoloration, and rancidity.
Employed in pharmaceuticals as an excipient to enhance drug stability, improve solubility of metal-sensitive compounds, and prevent degradation of active ingredients.
Applied in food processing (as permitted) to preserve color, flavor, and texture by binding trace metals that promote oxidation in beverages, canned foods, and dressings.
Used in industrial and municipal water treatment for scale control and water softening, preventing calcium and magnesium from causing precipitation in pipelines and boilers.
Serves as a chelating reagent in analytical chemistry, especially in complexometric titrations to accurately quantify metal ion concentrations.
Utilized in cleaning agents and detergents to boost cleaning efficiency by sequestering hardness ions and preventing soap scum and residue buildup.
Included in blood collection tubes and clinical laboratory procedures as an anticoagulant, preventing coagulation by chelating calcium ions necessary for clotting.
Applied in textile and paper industries to eliminate metal impurities that interfere with dyeing, bleaching, and pulping processes.
Used in environmental remediation to mobilize and remove heavy metals from contaminated soils or wastewater streams.
Supports research in biochemistry and molecular biology by controlling metal-dependent enzymatic reactions during purification and storage of proteins and nucleic acids.
2 [Fe(EDTA)]− + H2S → 2 [Fe(EDTA)]2− + S + 2 H+
In this application, the iron(III) centre is reduced to its iron(II) derivative, which can then be reoxidised by air.
In a similar manner, nitrogen oxides are removed from gas streams using [Fe(EDTA)]2−
In a similar manner, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is added to some food as a preservative or stabiliser to prevent catalytic oxidative decolouration, which is catalysed by metal ions.
The reduction of water hardness in laundry applications and the dissolution of scale in boilers both rely on Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt and related complexants to bind Ca2+, Mg2+, as well as other metal ions.
Once bound to Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt, these metal complexes are less likely to form precipitates or to interfere with the action of the soaps and detergents.
For similar reasons, cleaning solutions often contain Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt.
In a similar manner Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is used in the cement industry for the determination of free lime and free magnesia in cement and clinkers.[6][page needed]
The solvation of Fe3+ ions at or below near neutral pH can be accomplished using EDTA.
This property is useful in agriculture including hydroponics. However, given the pH dependence of ligand formation, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is not helpful for improving iron solubility in above neutral soils.
Otherwise, at near-neutral pH and above, iron(III) forms insoluble salts, which are less bioavailable to susceptible plant species.
Safety Profile Of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt:
Considered low acute toxicity, but may cause skin and eye irritation upon direct contact due to its ability to disrupt metal-dependent cellular functions.
If inhaled as dust, can lead to respiratory irritation, coughing, or discomfort, particularly in occupational or manufacturing environments.
Ingestion of large quantities may disrupt electrolyte balance by excessive chelation of essential metal ions such as calcium and magnesium, potentially affecting neuromuscular activity.
Prolonged or high-concentration exposure may contribute to local irritation, dryness, or sensitization, especially on compromised or sensitive skin.
Improper disposal or discharge into aquatic environments can complex essential trace metals and interfere with biological processes in aquatic life.
Should be handled with appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, dust control) and stored away from strong oxidizers or reactive metals.
At elevated concentrations, Na₂EDTA can remove essential micronutrients (Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺/³⁺) from biological systems, potentially disturbing enzyme function, redox balance, and cell signaling pathways.
Repeated or chronic overexposure may lead to mineral deficiencies if ingested in significant doses, due to excessive chelation of dietary metal ions.
When delivered parenterally or intravenously, improper dosing of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt salts (especially calcium-free forms) may result in hypocalcemia, potentially leading to cardiac arrhythmias or muscle spasms — though disodium EDTA is rarely administered this way compared to CaNa₂EDTA.
Some formulations can generate mild cytotoxic effects in cell culture by depriving cells of required metal cofactors for enzyme activities.
In environmental settings, availability of EDTA-bound metals may increase heavy metal mobility, posing ecological risk if not managed correctly in wastewater or soil treatment systems.
