Pentetate Zinc

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical

**Definition:** The zinc salt form of diethylene triamine pentaacetate (Zn-DTPA or pentetate zinc) with chelating activity. Upon administration, Zn-DTPA loses the Zn ion to form stable chelates with metal ions because DTPA has a higher affinity for heavy metal ions than for Zn ions. Specifically, this agent is able to bind to and form strong complexes with the radioactive plutonium, americium, and cerium after internal contamination. The formation of these heavy metal chelates enhances radionuclide excretion.

**Synonyms:** - Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid, Zinc Salt - PENTETATE ZINC - Zinc DTPA - Zinc, (((Carboxymethylimino)bis(ethylenenitrilo))tetraacetato)- - Zincate(3-), (N,N-bis(2-(((carboxy-kappaO)methyl)(carboxymethyl)amino-kappaN)ethyl)glycinato(5-)-kappaN,kappaO)-, Trihydrogen - Zn-DTPA - ZnDTPA