Description | Ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid is also named as Egtazic acid. It works as a chelating agent for the determination of calcium in the presence of magnesium. |
Chemical Properties | White to slightly off-white powder |
Uses | Pharmaceutic aid. EGTA. |
Definition | ChEBI: A diether that is ethylene glycol in which the hydrogens of the hydroxy groups have been replaced by 2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl group respectively. |
Biological Activity | Calcium chelator; protects against cell death caused by nitric oxide-induced calcium influx into nerve cells. |
Safety Profile | Poison by intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by ingestion. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also GLYCOL ETHERS. |
Purification Methods | Dissolve EGTA in aqueous NaOH, precipitate it by adding aqueous HCl, wash it with water and dry at 100o in vacuo.[Beilstein 4 IV 217.] |