Sodium ferric EDTA, also known as sodium ferric EDTA, is a compound derived from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and iron ions. It was discovered in the mid-20th century and belongs to a class of compounds called chelators, which have the ability to form stable complexes with metal ions through multiple coordination sites.
A defining feature of sodium ferric EDTA is its exceptional chelating ability. Its molecular structure contains four carboxylic acid groups, each of which is able to bind to metal ions such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. This property enables sodium ferric EDTA to sequester and neutralize metal ions, thereby preventing them from undesirable interactions and facilitating a wide range of applications.
The main application of sodium ferric EDTA is in the field of analytical chemistry. Its chelating properties make it a valuable reagent for complexometric titrations, which are used to determine the concentration of metal ions in solutions. By forming stable complexes with metal ions, sodium ferric EDTA allows for precise measurements, allowing scientists to analyze trace metals in a variety of samples with high sensitivity and reliability.
In addition, sodium ferric EDTA is widely used in the fields of water treatment and environmental remediation. Its ability to chelate metal ions enables it to remove heavy metals from water and soil, mitigating the adverse effects of pollution and contamination. Sodium ferric EDTA forms soluble complexes with metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, removing these metals through processes such as precipitation, filtration, and ion exchange.
In addition to its role in analytical chemistry and environmental science, sodium ferric EDTA is used in a variety of industrial processes and applications. In the textile industry, it is used as a bleaching agent and color stabilizer to help remove unwanted pigments and impurities from fabrics while maintaining the brightness and integrity of the fabric. In addition, sodium ferric EDTA is used in the formulation of detergents to improve the efficacy of detergents by removing metal ions that interfere with the cleaning process.
Sodium ferric EDTA can also be used in medicine and healthcare. In the field of pharmacology, it is used as a chelating agent to treat heavy metal poisoning, forming soluble complexes that can be excreted in the urine to help remove toxic metals from the body. In addition, sodium ferric EDTA is used in medical diagnostics and imaging technology as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies.
References
1983. Inhibition of food iron absorption by coffee. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6402915
2021. Effect of L-calcium lactate, zinc lactate, and ferric sodium EDTA on the physicochemical and functional properties of liquid whole egg. Journal of Food Science. DOI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34337745
2020. Therapeutic candidates for the Zika virus identified by a high-throughput screen for Zika protease inhibitors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. DOI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7733812
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