Library

EDTA

Athanor · official

C10H16N2O8 · 292.24 g/mol

IUPAC name: 2-[2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxymethyl)amino]acetic acid

Also called ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, chelator, versene, E385

Open in Athanor
The structure of EDTA
Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit
Harmful or irritantWarningCauses serious eye irritation

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name
2-[2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxymethyl)amino]acetic acid
Synonyms
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, chelator, versene
+ 39 more

E385, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, Edetic acid, Edathamil, Sequestrol, Havidote, Titriplex, Cheelox, EDTA acid, Sequestrene aa, Versene acid, Trilon BS, Gluma cleanser, Sequestric acid, Warkeelate acid, Komplexon ii, Tetrine acid, Quastal Special, Metaquest A, Trilon bw, (Ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid, Titriplex II, Cheelox BF acid, Celon A, Celon ATH, Chelest 3A, Questex 4H, Chemcolox 340, Acide edetique, Acido edetico, Universne acid, EDTA (chelating agent), Dissolvine E, Vinkeil 100, Nullapon B acid, Nullapon bf acid, Nervanaid B acid, Perma kleer 50 acid, Clewat TAA

Molecular formula
C10H16N2O8
Empirical formula
C5H8NO4
Molecular weight
292.24 g/mol
Exact mass
292.09067
CAS number
60-00-4
PubChem CID
6049
Canonical SMILES
C(CN(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O)N(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES
C(CN(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O)N(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O
InChI
InChI=1S/C10H16N2O8/c13-7(14)3-11(4-8(15)16)1-2-12(5-9(17)18)6-10(19)20/h1-6H2,(H,13,14)(H,15,16)(H,17,18)(H,19,20)
InChIKey
KCXVZYZYPLLWCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity
Appearance
Colorless crystals[4]
6 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid is a colorless crystalline solid. It is slightly soluble in water. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. It is used in chemical analysis, to make detergents and cleaning compounds, and for many other uses.[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–CBI; Other Solid; Dry Powder[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–Liquid; Dry Powder; Liquid; Dry Powder; CBI; Large Crystals[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–COLOURLESS CRYSTALS OR WHITE POWDER.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–shownColorless crystals[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 527
–White crystalline powder[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr. (ed) Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 11th Edition. Wiley-Interscience, Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. 2004., p. V2: 1660
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 0.86[3]
2 values

2 of 2 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
–0.86 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–shownRelative density (water = 1): 0.86[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Solubility in water
Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 0.05 (very poor)[3]
4 values

From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–SOL IN SOLN OF ALKALI HYDROXIDES[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Osol, A. (ed.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 16th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 1980., p. 1260
–Insoluble in common organic solvents[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 527
–In water, 1,000 mg/L at 25 °C[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Wolf K, Gilbert PA; in The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Hutzinger O, ed. Berlin, Germany: Spring-Verlag 3F: 243-259 (1992)
–shownSolubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 0.05 (very poor)[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
log P
-3.34 (calculated)[3]
pKa
pKa = 0.26[4]
Vapor pressure
1.50 × 10⁻¹² mmHg at 25 °C (extrapolated)[4]
Flash point
Reported, but no value passed the checks.
The value and why
  • Flash point is> 100 °C, (could not be read; source [4])

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms
20
Rings
0
Aromatic rings
0
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3)
0.6
H-bond donors
4
H-bond acceptors
6 computed here · PubChem 10
Rotatable bonds
11
TPSA (Ų)
155.7 computed here · PubChem 156
Formal charge
0
XLogP3
-5.9 PubChem
Complexity
315 PubChem
Stereocenters
None
Double-bond geometry
None specified
Point group
C1 of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

  • C41.10%
  • H5.52%
  • N9.59%
  • O43.80%

Isotope pattern

100%292.09112%293.0942.3%294.095295.098

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P
-2.07 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility)
0.38 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility
2.17 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

  • Molecular weight ≤ 500: 292.24
  • log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): -2.07
  • H-bond donors ≤ 5: 4
  • H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 6

Passes all four rules.

¹³C NMR shifts, predicted

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Warning

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [5].

  • Harmful or irritant
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation

Precautionary statements: P264+P265, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P317

View all classifications (5)
  • [5] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · WarningH319
  • [6] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.4% (6 of 1452) of reports.
  • [6] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 1,452 reports · WarningH319, H332, H373
  • [6] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 19.4% (86 of 443) of reports.
  • [6] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 443 reports · WarningH302, H312, H315, H319, H332, H335, H373, H412

First aid

  • Fresh air, rest.[3]
  • Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.[3]
  • Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible).[3]
  • Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink.[3]

Storage

  • Separated from strong oxidants, metals and food and feedstuffs.[3]
  • Chelating agents, by their very nature, tend to be corrosive to metals such as copper, zinc, and iron. The alkaline salts corrode aluminum severely, and contact with these salts should be avoided. Stainless steel and most polymers or coatings that are able to withstand dilute alkali are acceptable as construction materials. Solid chelating agents should be stored in a cool, dry place to avoid caking. (chelating agents)[4]
  • Store at 25 °C (77 °F) with excursions permitted between 15 to 30 °C (59 to 86 °F).[4]
  • Store in tight container as defined in the usp-nf. This material should be handled and stored per label instructions to ensure product integrity. Store in a refrigerator.[4]

Incompatibilities

  • Reacts with strong oxidants, strong bases, copper, copper alloys and nickel.[4]
  • Reacts violently with lead dioxide.[4]
  • Disodium edentate behaves as a weak acid, displacing carbon dioxide from carbonates and reacting with metals to form hydrogen. It is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, metal ions, and metal alloys.[4]
  • Additives may be incompatible with the reconstituted (diluted) solution required for intravenous infusion. Consult with pharmacist, if available. When introducing additives, use aseptic technique, mix thoroughly and do not store.[4]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Biorbyt, LGC Standards.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

  1. [1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  2. [2]EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · Public domain (US EPA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  3. [3]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  4. [4]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  5. [5]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  6. [6]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  7. [7]NMRShiftDB · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  8. [8]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  9. [9]Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  10. [10]MassBank of North America (MoNA) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  11. [11]NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  12. [12]MassBank Europe · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  13. ·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
  14. ·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.