EDTA 4Na 40% can be formed by reacting a basic solution of ethylenediamine with formaldehyde and sodium or hydrogen cyanide, followed by hydrolysis to form the salt.
EDTA 4Na 40% can also be produced by using excess sodium hydroxide in the reaction.
EDTA 4Na 40% is used a s chelating agent to remove heavy metal, such as lead or mercury, from the blood.
CAS Number: 13235-36-4
Molecular Formula: C10H19N2NaO9
Molecular Weight: 334.26
EINECS Number: 603-569-9
Synonyms: Tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate tetrahydrate, Edetate sodium tetrahydrate, EDTA tetrasodium tetrahydrate, Tetrasodium EDTA tetrahydrate, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt tetrahydrate, EDTA-tetrasodium salt hydrate, VERSENE 220E, N,N'-Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt tetrahydrate, Sodium 2,2',2'',2'''-(ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetate (tetrahydrate), Glycine N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis(N-(carboxymethyl))- tetrasodium salt tetrahydrate, NA₄EDTA·4H₂O, C₁₀H₂₀N₂Na₄O₁₂·4H₂O, CAS 13235-36-4, UNII L13NHD21 surrender, TETRASODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE TETRAHYDRATE;ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID TETRASODIUM SALT TETRAHYDRATE;ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETIC ACID TETRASODIUM TETRAHYDRATE;[ETHYLENEDINITRILO]TETRAACETIC ACID TETRASODIUM SALT TETRAHYDRATE;EDTA, TETRA SODIUM SALT, TETRAHYDRATE;EDTA-4NA TETRAHYDRATE;TETRASODIUM SALT OF EDTA TETRA HYDRATE;ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID TETRASODIUM SALT HYDRATE PRACTICAL GRADE
EDTA 4Na 40% is used to lower blood levels of calcium, to control heart rhythm disturbances cased by a heart medication.
In food industry, it is used as an additive in flume water for washing fruits and vegetables.
In industry, it is used in the formulations of anti-adhesive agents, corrosion inhibitors, anti-scaling agents, lubricant additives, surface active agents, etc.
EDTA 4Na 40% is also used in photo-chemicals, textile treatment products and dyes, biocides (e.g. disinfectants, pest control products) and polishes and waxes.
EDTA 4Na 40% is an aqueous solution of the well-known chelating agent.
EDTA 4Na 40% is highly effective at low concentrations at a very wide acidic and alkaline pH range.
EDTA 4Na 40% is an aqueous solution of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate where the active chelating agent is present at about 40% by weight.
EDTA 4Na 40% is the fully neutralized sodium salt of EDTA, which gives the solution a strongly alkaline pH, typically around 10.5–12.
Because it is already dissolved in water, it is easier and faster to use in liquid formulations than solid EDTA salts.
EDTA 4Na 40% acts as a powerful chelating agent that binds divalent and trivalent metal ions such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺.
By forming very stable and water-soluble complexes, it prevents metals from catalyzing oxidation, discoloration, and product degradation.
This metal-binding ability also improves product stability and performance in hard-water conditions.
EDTA 4Na 40% is widely used in detergents and cleaning products to soften water and enhance surfactant efficiency.
It is also used in cosmetics, personal care products, textile processing, pulp and paper, electroplating baths, and industrial water treatment systems.
In cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, EDTA 4Na 40% helps protect formulations from metal-induced instability and extends shelf life.
In electroplating and surface treatment, it controls free metal ion concentration and improves bath stability.
In agriculture and fertilizers, it can help keep micronutrients soluble and available for plant uptake.
EDTA 4Na 40% is generally considered low in acute toxicity but can cause skin and eye irritation due to its alkaline nature.
Prolonged or repeated contact may lead to dryness or irritation of the skin, and splashes can cause serious eye discomfort.
From an environmental perspective, EDTA 4Na 40% is poorly biodegradable and can mobilize heavy metals in wastewater systems.
This may increase the transport of metals into natural waters if not properly treated.
Therefore, controlled use and appropriate wastewater treatment are recommended in industrial applications.
storage temp.: Inert atmosphere, room temperature
solubility: H₂O: 0.1 M at 20 °C, clear, colorless
form: Solid
color: White crystalline
odor: Odorless
water solubility: Almost transparent
InChI: InChI=1S/C10H16N2O8.Na.H2O.H/c13-7(14)3-11(4-8(15)16)1-2-12(5-9(17)18)6-10(19)20;;;/h1-6H2,(H,13,14)(H,15,16)(H,17,18)(H,19,20);;1H2;
InChIKey: LHCZUGDUAQREMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: N(CC(=O)O)(CC(=O)O)CCN(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O.[NaH].O
EDTA 4Na 40% is a concentrated aqueous solution of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate in which approximately forty percent of the total mass is active chelating agent and the remainder is water.
EDTA 4Na 40% is the fully neutralized sodium salt of EDTA, giving the solution a strongly alkaline character and very high solubility in water.
The liquid form allows direct dosing into formulations without a separate dissolution step, which reduces preparation time and improves process consistency.
EDTA 4Na 40% provides six donor atoms that coordinate tightly with metal ions to form highly stable chelate rings.
It shows particularly strong affinity for calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and lead ions.
These stable complexes remain soluble over a wide pH range, preventing precipitation, scaling, and catalytic side reactions.
Compared with EDTA 4Na 40% disodium or trisodium salts, the tetrasodium form has higher solubility and stronger chelating performance in alkaline systems.
This makes it especially suitable for detergents, cleaners, and industrial baths that operate at high pH.
EDTA 4Na 40% also helps maintain clarity and color stability in liquid formulations that are sensitive to trace metals.
In household and industrial detergents, EDTA 4Na 40% binds hardness ions and improves cleaning efficiency by allowing surfactants to work more effectively.
In boiler water and cooling systems, it helps control scale formation and metal ion buildup that can reduce heat-transfer efficiency.
In pulp and paper processing, it stabilizes hydrogen peroxide and other bleaching agents by removing catalytic metal impurities.
EDTA 4Na 40% is used during dyeing and finishing to prevent metal-related shade variations and fabric defects.
In electroplating and metal finishing, it acts as a complexing agent that controls metal ion activity and improves deposit uniformity.
In cosmetics and personal care products, it stabilizes emulsions and preservatives by eliminating trace metal contaminants that promote oxidation.
EDTA 4Na 40% is sometimes used as a chelating carrier to keep micronutrients soluble in liquid fertilizer formulations.
It can improve the availability of iron, zinc, and manganese in certain soil and foliar applications.
However, its persistence in the environment requires careful management of dosage and runoff.
EDTA 4Na 40% solutions are alkaline and can cause irritation or burns to the eyes and skin upon prolonged or concentrated contact.
Inhalation of mist or aerosols may irritate the respiratory tract, especially in industrial spraying processes.
Ingestion of large amounts can disturb mineral balance by binding essential metal ions in the body.
From an environmental standpoint, EDTA 4Na 40% is resistant to biodegradation and can persist in wastewater and natural waters.
Because it can keep heavy metals in soluble form, it may enhance the mobility of toxic metals in aquatic systems.
For this reason, industrial discharge is usually regulated and may require advanced treatment processes to remove chelating agents.
Uses Of EDTA 4Na 40%:
EDTA 4Na 40% is a chelator used to eliminate inhibition of enzyme catalyzed reactions.
It can be used as reactant/reagent for green preparation of O-allylhydroxylamines via organocatalytic oxidation of tertiary allylic amines followed by a -Meisenheimer rearrangement.
EDTA 4Na 40% is widely used in household and industrial detergents to bind calcium and magnesium ions, improving cleaning efficiency in hard water.
EDTA 4Na 40% enhances the performance of surfactants and prevents scale formation on surfaces, fabrics, and equipment.
EDTA 4Na 40% is used in industrial cleaning formulations, including alkaline degreasers and CIP (clean-in-place) systems, to control metal contamination and stabilize cleaning baths.
In boiler water and cooling water treatment, it helps reduce scaling and metal ion buildup that can cause corrosion and loss of heat-transfer efficiency.
In pulp and paper processing, it stabilizes bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide by chelating catalytic metal impurities that cause premature decomposition.
This leads to more efficient bleaching and reduced chemical consumption.
In textile processing and dyeing, it prevents metal-induced color variations and improves shade reproducibility during wet processing steps.
EDTA 4Na 40% also reduces fabric damage caused by metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions.
In electroplating and surface finishing, it acts as a complexing agent to control free metal ion concentration and improve bath stability and coating uniformity.
EDTA 4Na 40% supports consistent deposition rates and smoother metal layers.
In cosmetics and personal care products, it is used to stabilize emulsions, fragrances, and preservatives by removing trace metals that trigger oxidation and discoloration.
EDTA 4Na 40% helps extend shelf life and maintain product appearance.
In agriculture and fertilizer formulations, it keeps micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and manganese in soluble form for better plant uptake in liquid products.
EDTA 4Na 40% is especially useful in alkaline conditions where metal nutrients tend to precipitate.
In laboratories and analytical chemistry, it is used to mask interfering metal ions in titrations and buffer systems.
EDTA 4Na 40% also serves as a standard chelating reagent in complexometric analyses.
It is extensively used in heavy-duty laundry and dishwashing detergents to sequester hardness ions, which improves stain removal and prevents redeposition of dirt on fabrics and dishes.
EDTA 4Na 40% also helps protect washing machines and dishwashers from scale buildup, extending equipment lifetime.
In institutional and industrial cleaners, EDTA 4Na 40% improves the effectiveness of alkaline degreasers used in food processing plants, dairies, and beverage facilities.
EDTA 4Na 40% supports CIP (clean-in-place) operations by keeping metal contaminants in solution and maintaining stable cleaning performance over repeated cycles.
In water treatment systems, it is applied to control scale and stabilize dissolved metals in boilers, cooling towers, and process water loops.
This reduces fouling, improves energy efficiency, and minimizes maintenance downtime.
In pulp, paper, and packaging industries, it stabilizes peroxide and oxygen-based bleaching chemicals by removing trace iron, copper, and manganese.
This results in more uniform brightness and lower chemical consumption during bleaching stages.
In textile manufacturing, it is used during scouring, bleaching, dyeing, and finishing to prevent metal-related spotting and shade variations.
EDTA 4Na 40% improves dye uptake consistency and fabric quality, especially for reactive and disperse dye systems.
In metal surface treatment and electroplating, EDTA 4Na 40% acts as a chelating and buffering agent to regulate metal ion activity in plating baths.
EDTA 4Na 40% improves coating thickness uniformity, adhesion, and surface smoothness of deposited layers.
In cosmetics and personal care, it is included in shampoos, liquid soaps, creams, lotions, and cleansers to improve product stability and clarity.
EDTA 4Na 40% protects fragrances, colorants, and preservatives from degradation caused by trace metal impurities.
In pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing, it is used to stabilize formulations, protect active ingredients from metal-catalyzed degradation, and improve shelf life.
It may also be used in cleaning validation processes for equipment decontamination.
In agriculture, EDTA 4Na 40% is used in liquid fertilizers and foliar sprays to maintain micronutrients in soluble, bioavailable forms.
This improves nutrient delivery efficiency, especially in calcareous or alkaline soils.
In laboratories and chemical processing, it is used to mask metal ions in analytical procedures and to control reaction pathways influenced by trace metals.
EDTA 4Na 40% is also employed in buffer preparation, enzyme stabilization, and biochemical research applications.
Safety Profile Of EDTA 4Na 40%:
EDTA 4Na 40% is alkaline and can cause irritation or burns to the skin and serious eye damage if splashed into the eyes.
Direct contact may lead to redness, pain, and dryness, especially after prolonged or repeated exposure.
Inhalation of mists or aerosols can irritate the nose, throat, and respiratory tract, particularly in industrial spraying or high-pressure cleaning applications.
Symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, and shortness of breath in sensitive individuals.
Ingestion of significant amounts may cause gastrointestinal irritation such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
Because EDTA 4Na 40% binds metal ions, excessive intake can disturb mineral balance by chelating essential elements like calcium and magnesium in the body.
Chronic or repeated exposure may enhance skin dryness and dermatitis due to its degreasing and chelating effects on natural skin lipids and minerals.
Workers handling concentrated solutions should use protective gloves, goggles, and appropriate ventilation.
From an environmental standpoint, EDTA 4Na 40% is poorly biodegradable and persists in wastewater and natural water bodies.
EDTA 4Na 40% can increase the mobility of heavy metals by keeping them in soluble complexes, which may facilitate their transport into rivers and groundwater.