Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
N1,N1,N2,N2-Tetrakis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]ethane-1,2-diamine | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.110.079 |
EC Number |
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PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C26H28N6 | |
Molar mass | 424.552 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Crystalline solid[1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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TPEN (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine[1]) is an intracellular membrane-permeable ion chelator.[2] TPEN has a high affinity for many transition metals and should not be considered specific or selective for a particular ion. Chelators can be used in chelation therapy to remove toxic metals in the body. TPEN is a chelator that has a high affinity for zinc. For example, one study showed that TPEN is a stronger chelator compared to other chelators like pentetic acid (DTPA) when high levels of zinc are present (15 μM). When low levels of zinc were present however (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 μM zinc), there was no significant difference.[2] TPEN is a hexadentate ligand which also forms complexes with other soft metal ions such as Cd2+.[3]