Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid is used as chelating agent and forms complexes with metal ions. It finds application as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrasting agent, since it improves the image by forming a complex with a gadolinium ion. It can also be used for treatment of radioactive materials such as plutonium, americium and other actinides. It is an active component of manganese and zinc fertilizers used in agrochemical industry. It acts as a color inhibitor and is used in the production of acrylon. It is also used in soaps as a water softener.