EDTA

C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₈

IUPAC: 2,2',2'',2'''-(Ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetic acid

CAS: 60-00-4

Overview

EDTA is a powerful chelating agent that binds metal ions. It is used in medicine to treat heavy metal poisoning and in food preservation.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 16 1.0080
Carbon C 10 12.0110
Nitrogen N 2 14.0070
Oxygen O 8 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×16
5.5%
C
Carbon ×10
41.1%
N
Nitrogen ×2
9.6%
O
Oxygen ×8
43.8%

Uses

  • • Chelation therapy
  • • Food preservative
  • • Water softener
  • • Blood anticoagulant (purple top tubes)

Fun Facts

  • ✦ EDTA-treated blood tubes have purple caps — EDTA prevents clotting by chelating calcium ions

Safety

  • ⚠ Can deplete essential minerals

Structure

SMILES

C(CN(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O)N(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
292.24 g/mol
Density
0.8600 g/cm³
Melting Point
245.0 °C
Solubility
0.5 g/L at 25°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
292.0907
XLogP
-5.9
TPSA
156.0 Ų
H-Bond Donors
4
H-Bond Acceptors
10
Rotatable Bonds
11
Heavy Atoms
20
Complexity
315.0

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EDTA?
EDTA (C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₈) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name 2,2',2'',2'''-(Ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetic acid.
What is the molecular weight of EDTA?
EDTA has a molar mass of 292.24 g/mol.
What state is EDTA at room temperature?
EDTA is a solid at room temperature.
Is EDTA organic or inorganic?
EDTA is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up EDTA?
EDTA (C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₈) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O).