1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide

1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (CAS 1892-57-5), commonly known as EDC or EDCI, is a water-soluble carbodiimide coupling reagent used to form stable amide and ester bonds. In industry, it functions as a zero-length crosslinker, activating carboxylic acids for conjugation without becoming part of the final bond. This makes it essential for complex chemical synthesis.

EDC is the reagent of choice for bioconjugation workflows, including antibody-antigen coupling, protein-to-surface immobilization, and diagnostic assay development. It ensures high efficiency in aqueous environments. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it supports peptide synthesis and the preparation of drug-protein conjugates where clean, traceable crosslinking chemistry is required for regulatory compliance.

Personal care formulators use it to crosslink hyaluronic acid and other polysaccharides in dermal filler and hydrogel systems. It provides the structural integrity needed for advanced cosmetic applications. Research-scale and GMP production of biosensors, lateral flow devices, and conjugate vaccines also rely on EDC as a primary activation agent. Its versatility spans across multiple biotech sectors.

EDC is supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder, with the hydrochloride salt form being the dominant commercial grade due to its superior stability under ambient storage conditions. It is available in research quantities through to multi-kilogram lots, with pharmaceutical-grade material meeting specifications relevant to GMP bioconjugation processes and industrial standards.