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Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate (GLDA) is a synthetic chelating agent used as a biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chelators like EDTA and NTA.
It is commonly employed in personal care products, household cleaners, industrial detergents, and agricultural formulations.
CAS Number: 51981-21-6
Synonyms
GLDA-Na4,Tetrasodium L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetate,GLDA,,L-Glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid, tetrasodium salt,Tetrasodium N,N-diacetate glutamate,Chelat GLDA
Introduction
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate (GLDA-Na4) is a versatile, biodegradable chelating agent that has gained prominence as a sustainable alternative to traditional aminopolycarboxylate chelants such as EDTA, NTA, and DTPA.
It belongs to the family of glutamic acid diacetates and is particularly noted for its high biodegradability and safety profile, which makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from household and industrial cleaning products to personal care formulations, agriculture, and water treatment.
The demand for environmentally friendly chelating agents has grown considerably due to increasing environmental regulations and consumer awareness regarding product safety.
GLDA-Na4, derived from naturally occurring amino acids, fulfills this demand by offering excellent metal ion binding capacities while maintaining an environmentally benign profile.
This review provides an exhaustive examination of the chemical, physical, production, application, and safety aspects of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.
Chemical Identity and Structure
IUPAC Name: Tetrasodium (2S)-2-[(2-carboxylatomethyl-1-oxidoethyl)amino]pentanedioate
Common Names: GLDA-Na4, Dissolvine GL-38, Tetrasodium L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetate
CAS Number: 51981-21-6
Molecular Formula: C9H9NO8Na4
Molecular Weight: 351.14 g/mol
Structural Formula:
The molecule consists of a glutamic acid backbone functionalized with two acetate groups and four sodium ions neutralizing the four acidic protons.
It features multiple carboxylate and amino groups capable of binding divalent and trivalent metal ions.
Functional Groups:
Two acetate groups (–CH2COO−)
One amino group (–NH–)
Three carboxylate groups (–COO−)
These functionalities collectively enable GLDA to act as a powerful chelator.
Synthesis and Production Methods
GLDA-Na4 is synthesized through a series of reactions involving glutamic acid, chloroacetic acid, and sodium hydroxide. The process generally involves:
Protection of the amino group to prevent side reactions during carboxymethylation.
Carboxymethylation of the amino group using chloroacetic acid.
Neutralization with sodium hydroxide to produce the tetrasodium salt.
Purification and crystallization to obtain the final product.
This synthesis process can be optimized using green chemistry principles to reduce waste, energy consumption, and the use of hazardous reagents.
Raw Materials:
L-glutamic acid (renewable feedstock)
Chloroacetic acid
Sodium hydroxide
Advanced methods may also employ enzymatic catalysis or flow chemistry techniques for increased efficiency and lower environmental impact.
Stability and Reactivity
GLDA-Na4 is chemically stable under normal storage and usage conditions.
It does not readily hydrolyze or oxidize, making it compatible with a wide range of formulation ingredients.
Reactivity Characteristics:
Stable at high pH: Effective in alkaline cleaning systems.
Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents: May degrade in presence of concentrated oxidizers.
Thermal stability: Begins to decompose at temperatures >250°C.
The stability of GLDA in the presence of metal ions is a critical feature, allowing it to sequester metals like Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+, and Mn2+ without degradation.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
