title: pH-dependent formation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid supramolecular aggregates.
abstract: Pure ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt (EDTA.Na4) in water showed a pH-dependent change of optical density detected in the ultraviolet region. The most important change was found between pH 4 and 8, corresponding to the deprotonation of the third ionizable group having a pK of 6.2. The absorbance change was reversible and depended on the addition/removal of only 1 proton equivalent. The presence of supramolecular aggregates was suggested by size-exclusion chromatography, dialysis and cryo-electronmicroscopy. The molecular weight of EDTA supramolecular aggregates was 10-15,000 and 8-14,000, as determined by gel chromatography and dialysis, respectively. Cryo-electronmicroscopy revealed structures of 2-4 nm in diameter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Laboratory for Thrombosis Research Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haeberli
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003956:Dialysis; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004492:Edetic Acid