EDTA, 0.5 M, pH 8.0 (CAS 60-00-4)

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a versatile chemical compound widely utilized in scientific research due to its exceptional chelating properties. In laboratories, it is commonly prepared as a 0.5 M solution with a pH of 8.0. In research, EDTA is primarily employed as a chelating agent, meaning it forms stable complexes with metal ions. This property makes it invaluable in various biochemical and molecular biology applications. For instance, EDTA is frequently used in molecular biology to chelate divalent cations like magnesium (Mg^2+) that are essential for nucleic acid polymerases. By sequestering these ions, EDTA inhibits enzyme activity, enabling researchers to manipulate and study nucleic acids without unwanted enzymatic reactions. Moreover, EDTA finds extensive use in analytical chemistry, particularly in metal ion detection and titrations. Its ability to selectively bind to specific metal ions allows for precise determination and quantification of metals in complex mixtures. In addition to its role as a chelator, EDTA serves as a stabilizing agent in various laboratory reagents and solutions. Its ability to prevent metal ion-mediated catalysis or degradation enhances the stability and shelf-life of many biochemical and molecular biology reagents.