Disodium EDTA vs. Tetrasodium EDTA

Main Difference

The main difference between Disodium EDTA and Tetrasodium EDTA is that Disodium EDTA is a form of EDTA composed of two sodium cations and have a lower ph, whereas Tetrasodium EDTA is a form of EDTA that is composed of four sodium cations and have a higher ph.

Difference Between Disodium EDTA and Tetrasodium EDTA

Comparison Chart

Disodium EDTA vs. Tetrasodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA is the form of EDTA that is synthesized as a byproduct during the production of EDTA and a compound composed of two sodium cations bounded with EDTA forms known as Disodium EDTA. Whereas, Tetrasodium cations are the form of EDTA synthesized as a byproduct during the production of EDTA and a compound composed of four sodium cations bounded with EDTA is produced, which is known as Tetrasodium EDTA.

The difference present in composition leads to the difference in ph too, as Disodium EDTA is found have a ph lower than 7, normally it ranges between 4 to 7, on the other hand, Tetrasodium EDTA is found to have a ph higher than 7, normally it ranges in between 10 to 11. Disodium EDTA due to low ph acts as an acid, whereas Tetrasodium EDTA due to high ph acts as basic.

In Disodium EDTA, the four negatively charged oxygen atoms of EDTA bound to only two sodium atoms, whereas in Tetrasodium EDTA, the four negatively charged oxygen atoms of EDTA bound to four sodium atoms. The chemical formula of Disodium EDTA is presented as C₁₀H₁₄N₂Na₂O₈, whereas the chemical formula of Tetrasodium EDTA is C₁₀H₁₄N₂Na₄O₈. The molar mass of Disodium EDTA is lower and is 336.2g/mole, whereas, the molar mass of Tetrasodium EDTA is higher as 380.1 g/mol.

What is Disodium EDTA?

Disodium EDTA is the form of EDTA that is synthesized as a byproduct during the production of EDTA and a compound composed of two sodium cations bounded with EDTA forms known as Disodium EDTA. This difference in composition leads to a difference in ph, too, as Disodium EDTA is found to have a ph lower than 7, normally it ranges between 4 to 7. EDTA is a well-known chelating agent because of its ability to bind with metal ions. These EDTA can combine with sodium, calcium, and magnesium.

EDTA causes sequestration of metal ions, which is a result of the reaction of EDTA with metals. They form the EDTA metal complex. When normally four negatively charged oxygen atoms of EDTA bound to two sodium atoms in the reaction, Disodium EDTA is formed. It is also known as edetate disodium.

Disodium EDTA is found in most of the products of our daily use because of its properties of acting as a chelating agent as it would bind to metal ions and restricting the effects of corrosion on the packed material. Disodium EDTA is used as an additive and generally recognized as safe if consumed within safety limits. The limit for safe use is capped by an amount of 1.9 mg per kg of body weight per day as per a research published in the EFSA Journal in August 2018.

Taking these additives in large amounts could delete important life depending on metal atoms from the body, such as zinc. However, most of the foods we consume these days contain small amounts of calcium disodium. These are found in our cosmetic products, lotions, etc.

Disodium EDTA is also used in anti-coagulation, and in chelation therapy, etc. For use as anti-coagulant, the optimal concentration used is 1.5 mg per ml of blood. EDTA prevents platelet aggregation and thus also preferred as an anticoagulant for platelet count. It also acts as a chelating agent as it has the capability of binding with metals, thus enabling them to remove heavy metals like mercury, sodium from the blood.

Due to the ability to act as a chelating agent, it is used to lower high calcium levels in the blood, controlling heart rhythm disturbances that are caused by heart medication called digoxin. To one side from the uses mentioned above here, these compounds are also used as a food preservative as well. C₁₀H₁₄N₂Na₂O₈ is the general chemical formula of Disodium EDTA. The molar mass of Disodium EDTA is has a lower molar mass than its comparative of 336.2g/mol.

What is Tetrasodium EDTA?

Tetrasodium EDTA usually abbreviated as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and it can also be stated as tetrasodium salt and tetrasodium edetate. The core characteristic which is usually discussed in Tetrasodium EDTA is to reduce the reactivity of metal ions in a production. Tetrasodium cations are the form of EDTA synthesized as a byproduct during the production of EDTA, and a compound composed of four sodium cations bounded with EDTA is produced, which is known as Tetrasodium EDTA.

The difference present in composition leads to a difference in ph too. Tetrasodium EDTA is found to have a ph higher than 7; normally, it ranges between 10 to 11. Tetrasodium EDTA is formed when four negatively charged oxygen atoms of EDTA bound to four sodium atoms. It is a salt bring about from the nullification of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid with the addition of four sodium hydroxide. An equivalent sodium base can also be used instead of sodium hydroxide.

EDTA is a well-known chelating agent because of its ability to bind with metal ions. EDTA can combine with sodium, calcium, and magnesium. EDTA causes sequestration of metal ions, which is a result of the reaction of EDTA with metals. They form the EDTA metal complex.

Tetrasodium EDTA is known as a water-soluble ingredient, and it is mainly used as a chelating agent in personal care products, and in cosmetics, due to its specific ability to confiscate metal ions and restricting them to their original formula and disabling them for reaction with any other element. This ability also leads to softening water as well as stabilizing it when exposed to the outside environment by preventing microbial growth. It is normally obtainable as a liquid form, dry powder, etc.

Tetrasodium EDTA usually seems like a neutral crystalline powder, and it is also found as water-soluble and, to some extent, soluble in ethanol. It is also used as an additive and a water softener. These are present in our daily used beautifying products etc. It can sequester metal ions due to its special ability.

It is also used to increase the shelf life of the products mentioned above as it binds with metal ions and prevents them from reacting with other ingredients stored in that packing. It is also hazardous, as it causes skin corrosions and toxicity, which depends upon its usage. It is recognized by the drug control authorities as ecotoxin due to its hazardous nature. The Chemical formula of Tetrasodium EDTA is generally written as C₁₀H₁₄N₂Na₄O₈. The molar mass of Tetrasodium EDTA is higher than its comparative of 380.1 g/mol.

Conclusion

Disodium EDTA is a method of EDTA made of two sodium cations and has a lower ph, whereas, Tetrasodium EDTA is a form of EDTA that is composed of four sodium cations and have a higher ph.