Used primarily as a chelating agent, it binds to metal ions to form stable complexes, making it valuable in various industrial and laboratory applications. In biochemistry, it is employed to sequester calcium and other metal ions, aiding in the study of metal-dependent enzymes and processes. It is also utilized in water treatment to remove metal contaminants and in the pharmaceutical industry to stabilize formulations by preventing metal-catalyzed degradation. Additionally, it finds use in analytical chemistry as a reagent for complexometric titrations to determine metal ion concentrations.