Description
Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) is a polyamino carboxylic acid widely used as a chelating agent. It binds metal ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, etc.), preventing them from interfering with cleaning, processing, or chemical reactions.
It is recognized for being more biodegradable than EDTA, giving it an advantage in environmentally sensitive applications.
Chemical Properties
| IUPAC Name | 2,2’,2’’-Nitrilotriacetic acid |
| Chemical Formula | C₆H₉NO₆ |
| Molar Mass | 191.14 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 139-13-9 |
| Chemical Structure | Polyamino carboxylic acid with 1 amine + 3 carboxyl groups |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | ~1.55 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 248–252 °C (decomposes) |
| Boiling Point | Decomposes before boiling |
| Solubility in Water | Soluble; solubility increases with pH |
| Solubility in Other Solvents | Soluble in methanol, slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in non-polar solvents |
| pH (1% solution) | ~2.2 |
| pKa Values | pKa₁ ≈ 1.8; pKa₂ ≈ 2.5; pKa₃ ≈ 9.7 |
| Reactivity | Chelates metal ions; reacts with bases to form salts |
| Stability | Stable under normal conditions; decomposes at high temperatures |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidizing agents; strong acids with heavy metals |
| Biodegradability | High (degrades faster than EDTA) |
| Environmental Note | NTA-metal complexes (e.g., Ni-NTA) may pose risks |
| Common Industrial Forms | NTA acid, Trisodium NTA (Na₃NTA), Disodium NTA (Na₂NTA |
Uses
Laundry detergents
Dishwashing detergents
Industrial cleaners
Disinfectant formulations
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