EDTA Disodium (Disodium EDTA) – Comprehensive Overview

1. Basic Information

• Chemical Name: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt

• Chemical Formula: C₁₀H₁₄N₂Na₂O₈

• CAS Number: 139-33-3

• Appearance: White crystalline powder or granules

• Solubility: Highly soluble in water

• pH (1% solution): Around 4–6

2. Working Principle

EDTA disodium is a strong chelating agent, meaning it can bind with metal ions such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), iron (Fe³⁺), and heavy metals. This prevents unwanted chemical reactions, such as:

• Precipitation of metal salts (e.g., in hard water treatment).

• Oxidation and discoloration (e.g., in cosmetics and food preservation).

• Enzyme deactivation (e.g., in medical and industrial processes).

Chelation Reaction Example:

This reaction stabilizes products and improves efficiency in various applications.

3. Usage & Recommended Dosage

• Water Treatment: Used at 10-100 mg/L to prevent scale and metal precipitation.

• Cosmetics & Skincare: 0.01-0.1% as a stabilizer in lotions, shampoos, and creams.

• Cleaning & Detergents: 0.1-0.5% in household and industrial cleaners to enhance cleaning efficiency.

• Food Industry: 5-100 ppm as a preservative and color stabilizer in beverages, sauces, and canned foods.

• Medical Use: Used in anticoagulants and detoxification treatments under controlled conditions.

4. Key Application Areas

(1) Water Treatment

• Prevents scaling in boilers, cooling towers, and industrial water systems.

• Softens hard water by binding with calcium and magnesium ions.

(2) Cleaning & Detergents

• Enhances cleaning efficiency by neutralizing metal ions that interfere with surfactants.

• Used in laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, and industrial cleaners.

(3) Cosmetics & Personal Care

• Stabilizes formulations in shampoos, creams, lotions, and soaps.

• Prevents oxidation and extends product shelf life.

(4) Food & Beverage Industry

• Used as a preservative and color stabilizer in processed foods, soft drinks, and canned goods.

• Prevents metal-induced oxidation, improving product freshness.

(5) Medical & Pharmaceutical Uses

• Used in blood anticoagulation to prevent clotting in laboratory samples.

• Applied in chelation therapy to treat heavy metal poisoning.

5. Leading International Brands & Manufacturers

• BASF (Germany) – One of the largest chemical producers supplying high-quality EDTA products.

• Dow Chemical (USA) – Offers EDTA solutions for industrial, pharmaceutical, and consumer applications.

• AkzoNobel (Netherlands) – Produces EDTA for water treatment and cleaning applications.

• LANXESS (Germany) – Supplies high-purity EDTA for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

• Nouryon (Netherlands) – Specializes in chelating agents for industrial and agricultural applications.

6. Conclusion

EDTA disodium is a versatile chelating agent with applications in water treatment, cleaning, cosmetics, food preservation, and medicine. Its ability to bind metal ions makes it essential for improving product stability, efficiency, and safety.