Tetrasodium EDTA CAS 64-02-8

Basic Properties: Tetrasodium EDTA is typically available as a white crystalline powder. It is an aminopolycarboxylic acid salt that exhibits high solubility in water, forming strongly alkaline solutions (typical pH range of 10.5–11.5 for a 1% aqueous solution).

Chemical Characteristics & Role: It functions as a potent hexadentate ligand and chelating agent. Its primary characteristic is the ability to bind with divalent and trivalent metal cations to form stable, water-soluble, ring-like coordination complexes.

Common Chemical Reactions:

• Chelation (Complexation): Reacts with heavy metal and hard water ions to form stable metal-EDTA complexes. This reaction prevents the metals from acting as catalysts in oxidative degradation or precipitating out of solution.
• Neutralization: As a strongly alkaline salt, it can react with acids to form lower sodium salts or free EDTA acid.

Technical Specifications

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Applications

• Detergents and Cleaning Products:Acts as a water softener. It sequesters calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, preventing them from interfering with surfactants, thereby boosting cleaning efficiency and preventing scale buildup on fabrics and machine parts.
• Cosmetics and Personal Care:Functions as a stabilizer and preservative enhancer. By binding trace metals that can catalyze the oxidation of oils and fragrances, it prevents rancidity, discoloration, and textural changes.
• Agriculture (Fertilizers):Used to manufacture chelated micronutrients. It keeps these essential trace metals soluble and highly bioavailable for plant uptake in various soil pH conditions.
• Water Treatment:Prevents scale formulation and metal precipitation in boilers, cooling towers, and industrial piping.

Storage Environment Requirements

• Temperature & Climate: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Container Maintenance: Keep containers tightly closed when not in use. Tetrasodium EDTA is hygroscopic and can absorb moisture from the air, which may cause caking.
• Incompatibilities: Store away from strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, and reactive metals like aluminum (aqueous solutions can react with aluminum to produce flammable hydrogen gas).

Handling and Usage Precautions

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate protective gear, including chemical safety goggles, gloves, and a dust mask if handling large quantities of powder, to prevent eye and skin irritation.
• Handling Procedures: Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Ensure adequate ventilation in the workspace. Avoid breathing dust and avoid direct contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.
• Hygiene: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling the product. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the handling area.

Formulation

• Liquid Hand Soaps / Shampoos (Cosmetic formulation):
  • Usage: Typically added at 0.1% – 0.5%.
  • Role: Counteracts the defoaming effect of hard water ions, resulting in a richer, more stable lather. It also works synergistically with primary preservatives to extend the product’s shelf life.
• Heavy-Duty Liquid Laundry Detergents (Household/Industrial):
  • Usage: Can range from 0.5% – 2.0%.
  • Role: Captures metal ions present in both the wash water and the soils/stains, preventing the redeposition of dirt onto fabrics and maintaining the chemical balance and visual clarity of the liquid formula.

Packaging

• Standard Packaging: Typically supplied in 25 kg multi-layer Kraft paper bags with an inner PE liner, or 25 kg PP woven bags to ensure moisture resistance.
• Bulk Packaging: 500 kg or 1000 kg FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) jumbo bags for industrial bulk consumers.
• Customization: Custom packaging sizes, labeling, and palletization are available as required by the customer.

Safety and Compliance