Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Dianhydride (VIP(LA)EDTA) is used as a reagent in the synthesis of a new class of polymer, poly-2.6-piperazinedione. VIP(LA)EDTA is also used in the synthesis of EDTA functionalized polyacrylnitriles (PANs) by direct reaction with amine and hydroxyl functionalized polyacrylnitrile.