EDTA Acid (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid) CAS 60-00-4

What Is EDTA Acid?

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, commonly known as EDTA or edetic acid, is an organic aminopolycarboxylic acid used to bind and control metal ions.

EDTA acid has CAS No. 60-00-4 and the molecular formula C10H16N2O8. It normally appears as a white crystalline powder. Its ability to form stable complexes with calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and other metal ions makes it useful in industrial cleaning, water treatment, chemical processing and analytical applications.

This page describes EDTA in its free-acid form. It should not be confused with disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA or other EDTA salts.

EDTA Acid Identification and Typical Properties

Values shown on this page are general reference information. Final specifications must be confirmed against the agreed product specification and batch Certificate of Analysis.

Is EDTA Organic or Inorganic?

EDTA is an organic compound because its structure contains a carbon-based ethylenediamine backbone and four carboxylic acid groups.

Commercially, EDTA acid is normally classified as a fine chemical or chelating agent. It may also be used as an intermediate in the manufacture of EDTA sodium salts, ammonium salts and metal-chelated products.

How Does EDTA Chelation Work?

EDTA contains nitrogen and oxygen donor atoms that can coordinate with a metal ion. This interaction forms a stable, water-compatible complex and reduces the ability of the free metal ion to cause scaling, oxidation, discoloration or unwanted side reactions.

Chelation performance depends on:

• Metal ion type

• Solution pH

• EDTA form and concentration

• Temperature

• Competing ions

• Contact time

An application test is recommended because EDTA acid and EDTA salts have different solubility and pH characteristics.

EDTA Acid vs. EDTA Salts

EDTA products are not automatically interchangeable.

The exact chemical name, CAS number, hydration state, pH and active content should be confirmed before ordering.

What Is EDTA Acid Used For?

Industrial Cleaning and Descaling

EDTA binds calcium, magnesium and iron ions that contribute to deposits and scale. It can be used in formulated cleaners for industrial equipment, heat exchangers and process systems.

Water Treatment

EDTA helps control hardness ions and trace metals in selected water-treatment formulations. Dosage and discharge requirements must be evaluated for the individual system.

Detergents and Cleaning Formulations

EDTA can reduce interference from hard-water ions and improve the consistency of surfactant and cleaning systems. A more soluble EDTA salt may be preferred in ready-to-use liquid formulations.

Pulp, Paper and Textile Processing

EDTA may be used to control metal ions that affect bleaching, color and process stability.

Metal Finishing and Chemical Processing

EDTA is used in metal-ion control, plating, surface treatment and chemical separation processes where stable complex formation is required.

Analytical Chemistry

EDTA is widely used in complexometric titration and laboratory analysis of calcium, magnesium and other metal ions.

Production of EDTA Salts and Chelates

EDTA acid is a raw material for manufacturing sodium EDTA, ammonium EDTA and metal-EDTA chelates.

Which EDTA Grade Should Buyers Select?

EDTA acid should not be described as food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade unless the supplied material and documentation specifically support that claim.

Which EDTA Quality Specifications Should Buyers Compare?

EDTA buyers should compare more than assay. Chelating value, pH, NTA, iron, heavy metals and insoluble matter can influence downstream performance.

Published commercial specifications commonly show approximately 99% assay and a chelating value near 339 mg CaCO3/g, but these values must not be treated as guaranteed AOZUN specifications unless confirmed in the quotation and contract.

How Should EDTA Acid Be Dissolved?

EDTA acid has limited solubility in neutral water. Directly adding a large amount to cold water may result in slow dissolution or undissolved solids.

Solubility normally increases when the material is gradually neutralized with a suitable alkaline component. The required pH, salt form and dissolution procedure should be determined through formulation testing.

If rapid water solubility is required, disodium EDTA or tetrasodium EDTA may be more suitable than EDTA acid.

Packaging, Storage and Handling

EDTA acid should be supplied in clean, sealed and moisture-resistant packaging. Pack size and pallet configuration should be confirmed during quotation.

Store in a cool, dry and ventilated area. Keep containers tightly closed and protect the product from moisture and contamination.

Avoid generating or inhaling dust. Operators should follow the current Safety Data Sheet and use appropriate gloves, eye protection and workplace dust controls.

Which Documents Should an EDTA Supplier Provide?

Depending on the market and application, buyers may request:

• Certificate of Analysis

• Safety Data Sheet

• Product specification

• Test method information

• Country-of-origin statement

• Packaging information

• Shelf-life or retest information

• NTA, heavy-metal or trace-element data

• Regulatory or application-specific declarations

Required documents should be confirmed before the commercial order is placed.

Why Source EDTA Acid from AOZUN?

AOZUN can assist customers with EDTA product selection, specification matching, sample evaluation and order coordination.

For an accurate quotation, please provide:

• Required EDTA form

• Intended application

• Target assay and chelating value

• Critical impurity limits

• Required quantity

• Packaging requirements

• Destination country

• Required technical documents

Final specifications, packaging, availability and documentation are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial order.

EDTA FAQ

Is EDTA Acid Soluble in Water?

EDTA acid has limited solubility in neutral water. Its solubility increases after pH adjustment or conversion to a sodium or ammonium salt.

Is EDTA Acid the Same as Disodium EDTA?

No. They have different chemical forms, CAS numbers, pH values and water solubilities. The correct form should be selected according to the application.

What Metals Can EDTA Bind?

EDTA can form complexes with calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese and many other polyvalent metal ions. Complex stability depends on the metal and solution conditions.

What Is EDTA Chelating Value?

Chelating value expresses the metal-binding capacity of the product, commonly as milligrams of calcium carbonate equivalent per gram of EDTA product.

Is EDTA a Fine Chemical or an Intermediate?

EDTA acid is primarily classified as a fine chemical and chelating agent. It can also serve as an intermediate for producing EDTA salts and metal chelates.

Request an EDTA Acid Quotation

Contact AOZUN for EDTA Acid, CAS No. 60-00-4. Include your application, required specification, quantity, packaging and delivery destination so that the appropriate product can be evaluated.