Etüleendiamiintetraäädikhappe
Etüleendiamiintetraäädikhappe, commonly known as EDTA, is a chelating agent with the chemical formula C10H16N2O8. It is a six-proton acidic aminopolycarboxylic acid. EDTA and its salts are white solids, soluble in water. EDTA is a polyanionic compound that has a relatively poor toxicity. It is used to treat heavy metal poisoning. In medicine, it is used to remove excess iron or other metals from the body. EDTA is also used in cosmetic and household products to bind metal ions, which can improve stability and appearance. Its ability to sequester metal ions makes it useful in preventing the precipitation of metal salts in solutions and for analytical purposes. In industrial applications, EDTA is used in the pulp and paper industry to remove metal ions that can catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent. It is also employed in textile processing, water treatment, and as an additive in food products to prevent oxidation. The synthesis of EDTA typically involves the reaction of ethylenediamine with formaldehyde and sodium cyanide, followed by hydrolysis. It is a widely produced chemical due to its versatile applications across various sectors.