Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

Description

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a white odorless crystalline powder used as chelating agent in pulp & paper, cleaning, chemical processing, agriculture and water treatment.

Acid EDTA also known as edetic acid, is an aminopolycarboxylic acid with the formula [CH2N(CH2CO2H)2]2. This white, water-soluble solid is widely used to bind to iron (Fe2+/Fe3+) and calcium ions (Ca2+), forming water-soluble complexes even at neutral pH. It is thus used to dissolve Fe- and Ca-containing scale as well as to deliver iron ions under conditions where its oxides are insoluble.

In Textiles and paper industry, EDTA is mainly used to sequester (bind or confine) metal ions in aqueous solution. In the textile industry, it prevents metal ion impurities from modifying colors of dyed products. In the pulp and paper industry, EDTA inhibits the ability of metal ions, especially Mn2+, from catalyzing the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide, which is used in bleaching.