Chemical name: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

IUPAC name: 2,2′,2″,2‴-(Ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetic acid

Formula: C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₈

Appearance: Colourless crystals

Uses:

• In industry, EDTA is mainly used to sequester 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, EDTA inhibits the ability of metal ions, especially Mn2+, from catalysing the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide, which is used in chlorine-free bleaching.