High-Purity Solvents, Personal Care

EDTA Tetrasodium (EDTA-4Na)

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt tetrahydrate (EDTA-4Na), identified by CAS number 13235-36-4, is a highly versatile and efficient sequestering agent used extensively in the global chemical industry. As a hexadentate chelating agent, EDTA-4Na possesses the unique ability to form stable, stoichiometric, and water-soluble complexes with polyvalent metal cations, such as calcium ($Ca^{2+}$), magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$), iron ($Fe^{3+}$), and copper ($Cu^{2+}$). By effectively “trapping” these metal ions, it prevents them from participating in unwanted chemical reactions, such as the formation of insoluble scales, catalytic oxidation, or the precipitation of surfactants.

The tetrasodium form is particularly valued for its high solubility in aqueous solutions and its alkaline pH profile, which enhances its performance in cleaning and detergent formulations. It remains chemically stable across a broad temperature range and maintains high sequestration capacity even in concentrated systems. This makes it an indispensable additive for maintaining product clarity, shelf-life stability, and process efficiency in environments where water hardness or trace metal contamination is a concern.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

  • High Sequestration Power: Provides exceptional binding affinity for a wide range of metal ions, effectively softening water and preventing mineral buildup.
  • Superior Solubility: The tetrasodium salt exhibits higher solubility in water compared to the disodium or acid forms, facilitating easier formulation in liquid concentrates.
  • Oxidative Stability: Inhibits metal-catalyzed oxidation, thereby protecting active ingredients like fragrances, fats, and oils from rancidity and degradation.
  • Synergistic Performance: Enhances the foaming and cleaning action of surfactants by neutralizing the interference caused by calcium and magnesium ions in hard water.
  • Thermal and Chemical Robustness: Maintains structural integrity and chelating efficiency under high-pressure and high-temperature industrial processing conditions.
Specifications

Technical Highlights

  • Chemical Formula: $C_{10}H_{12}N_2Na_4O_8 cdot 4H_2O$
  • Molecular Weight: Approximately 452.23 g/mol (Tetrahydrate form).
  • Assay (Purity): Typically $geq$ 99.0% by weight.
  • pH Value: 10.5 – 11.5 (1% aqueous solution at 25°C), providing alkaline buffering capacity.
  • Chelation Value: Minimum of 215–225 mg $CaCO_3$ per gram of EDTA-4Na (as tetrahydrate).
  • Appearance: White crystalline powder or granules, odorless and free-flowing.
  • Solubility: Approximately 1000 g/L in water at 20°C; insoluble in common organic solvents like alcohol.
  • Environmental Stability: Resistant to microbial degradation in wastewater treatment plants, necessitating controlled discharge management.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

  • Detergents and Cleaning: Used in laundry powders, liquid soaps, and industrial cleaners to prevent “scum” formation and improve soil removal.
  • Textile Industry: Employed during scouring, bleaching, and dyeing processes to remove trace metals that cause uneven coloring or fiber damage.
  • Pulp and Paper: Stabilizes hydrogen peroxide bleaching by sequestering manganese and iron ions that would otherwise decompose the bleaching agent.
  • Personal Care: Incorporated into shampoos, lotions, and cosmetics to boost preservative efficacy and ensure product clarity.
  • Water Treatment: Utilized in boiler descaling and cooling systems to inhibit the formation of calcium and magnesium scales.
  • Agriculture: Acts as a carrier for micronutrients in fertilizers, ensuring essential metals remain soluble and available for plant uptake.
Key Sectors

Target Industries

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