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How is citrate weaker chelating agent than EDTA?
This is from a book
liquid detergents. It shows 1gram citrate chelates only ~12% less calcium compared to 1gram EDTA @ 20°c.So when we say citrate is a weak chelating agent in shampoo for water softening, what does it exactly mean?
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5 Replies
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That is related to the energy of the newly formed bonds between the chelant and the metal ion when forming a complex. While citrate can form readily a complex with divalent ions, it can also easily lose it since the binding energy is not that strong. EDTA forms more stable complexes due to the higher binding energy.
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@ketchito How does Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate (GLDA) compare to the two?
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Thanks but does citrate have energy to make hard water completely soft from tap water?
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@Abdullah it’s bonding energy which is related to complex stability. Here’s a very good read on the topic: https://www.dow.com/documents/113/113-01388-01-chelation-chemistry-general-concepts-of-the-chemistry-of-chelation.pdf?iframe=true&.
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@ketchito thanks a lot.
Do you have any data for citrate too that shows how it works at different pH for different metal ions like this one is for EDTA?
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