TRILON AS

TRILON AS

CAS No. : 164462-16-2
EC No. : 605-362-9

Synonyms:
Trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate; trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid; methylglycinediacetic acid; N,N-Bis(carboxymethyl)-DL-alanin trisodium salt; N-(1-Carboxyethyl)-iminodiacetic acid; α-Alanindiacetic acid; α-ADA; MGDA-Na3; Trilon M; 164462-16-2; trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate; Trisodium 2-Methylnitrilotriacetate; Alanine, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-, sodium salt (1:3); Alanine, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-, trisodium salt; Trisodium N-(1-Carboxylatoethyl)iminodiacetate; N-N-Bis(carboxymethyl)alanine, trisodium salt; Trilon M; Trisodium dicarboxymethylalaninate; MGDA; Methyl glycine diacetic acid trisodium salt; DTXSID2044555; N,N-Bis(carboxylatomethyl)alanine Trisodium Salt; Q17381832; Sodium 2,2'-((1-carboxylatoethyl)azanediyl)diacetate; N-(1-Carboxylatoethyl)iminodiacetic Acid Trisodium Salt; TRILON AS; TRISODIUM DICARBOXYMETHYL ALANINATE; N,N-Bis(carboxylatomethyl)alanine Trisodium Salt Hydrate; N-(1-Carboxylatoethyl)iminodiacetic Acid Trisodium Salt Hydrate; Trisodium 2-Methylnitrilotriacetate Hydrate; Methyl Glycine Diacetic Acid Trisodium Salt Hydrate; MGDA Hydrate; Alanine, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-, trisodium salt; N,N-Bis(carboxymethyl)-DL-alanine, trisodium salt; DL-Alanine-N,N-diacetic acid trisodium salt; TRISODIUM DICARBOXYMETHYL ALANINATE; EDTA; Edetic acid; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; 60-00-4; Edathamil; Endrate; Versene; Havidote; Titriplex; EDTA acid; Sequestrol; Cheelox; Sequestric acid; Warkeelate acid; Gluma cleanser; Sequestrene aa; Komplexon ii; Quastal Special; Tetrine acid; Versene acid; Metaquest A; Trilon bw; Complexon II; Hamp-ene acid; Titriplex II; Cheelox BF acid; Trilon BS; Celon A; Chelest 3A; Questex 4H; Celon ATH; Chemcolox 340; Versenate; Universne acid; Vinkeil 100; Dissolvine E; Nullapon B acid; Nullapon bf acid; Perma kleer 50 acid; Nervanaid B acid; Clewat TAA; (Ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid; EDTA (chelating agent); Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid; Calcium disodium versenate; Acidum edeticum; Acide edetique; Acido edetico; Caswell No. 438; Disodium EDTA; Chelaton 3; ICRF 185; Glycine, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis[N-(carboxymethyl)-; Cheladrate; Trilon AS; Edetate calcium; Ethylenebisiminodiacetic acid; YD 30; Acide edetique [INN-French]; Acido edetico [INN-Spanish]; Acidum edeticum [INN-Latin]; CCRIS 946; Edetate; ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETIC ACID; HSDB 809; Acide ethylenediaminetetracetique; Ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid; Acetic acid, (ethylenedinitrilo)tetra-; Calcium disodium edetate; EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 039101; Edta disodium; Disodium edetate; Disodium versene; Endrate disodium; Kyselina ethylendiamintetraoctova; Sodium versenate; TRILON AS; Edetic acid disodium salt; Ethylenediaminetetraacetate; Kyselina ethylendiamintetraoctova [Czech]; Acide ethylenediaminetetracetique [French]; Metaquest B; Kiresuto B; Chelaplex III; Complexon III; Diso-Tate; 2-[2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl-(carboxymethyl)amino]acetic acid; 3,6-Diazaoctanedioic acid, 3,6-bis(carboxymethyl)-; AI3-17181; Chelaton III; Potassium EDTA; Versene NA; Triplex III; Disodium versenate; Edathamil disodium; Trilon BD; Versene Na2; C10H16N2O8; {[-(BIS-CARBOXYMETHYL-AMINO)-ETHYL]-CARBOXYMETHYL-AMINO}-ACETIC ACID; Disodium sequestrene; Disodium tetracemate; EDTA disodium salt; EINECS 200-449-4; F 1 (complexon); EDTA, ion(4-); CHEMBL858; Sequestrene sodium 2; Acetic acid, 2,2',2'',2'''-(1,2-ethanediyldinitrilo)tetrakis-; N,N'-1,2-Ethanediylbis(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine); Trilon AS; Glycine, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis(N-(carboxymethyl)-; N,N'-1,2-Ethane diylbis-(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine); 9G34HU7RV0; Perma Kleer Di Crystals; Calcium disodium versenate (TN); ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid; ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid; 2,2',2'',2'''-(ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetic acid; TRILON AS; 2-({2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]ethyl}(carboxymethyl)amino)acetic acid; 4-04-00-02449 (Beilstein Handbook Reference); Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt; Edetate calcium disodium (USP); Sequestrene Na2; Trilon B; Selekton B2; Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate; (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid, ion(4-); Perma kleer 50 crystals disodium salt; Disodium (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetate; Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; SODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE; CBC 50152966; DR-16133; TABUN; Taboon A; Gelan I; Trilon 83; Ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate; Ethyl dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate; 77-81-6; Dimethylamidoethoxyphosphoryl cyanide; Ethyl dimethylamidocyanophosphate; Le-100; Ethyl phosphorodimethylamidocyanidate; GA (chemical warfare agent); Dimethylphosphoramidocyanidic acid, ethyl ester; EA 1205; Trilon AS; CCRIS 3421; TRILON AS; Ethyl dimethylphosphoramido cyanidate; Ethyl N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate; T-2104; Phosphoramidocyanidic acid, dimethyl-, ethyl ester; BRN 1769395; Dimethylaminocyanphosphorsaeureaethylester; GA [Chemical Warfare Agent]; O-Ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate; CHEMBL446997; [dimethylamino(ethoxy)phosphoryl]formonitrile; Ethylester-dimethylamid kyseliny kyanfosfonove; Dimethylaminocyanphosphorsaeureaethylester [German]; Ethylester-dimethylamid kyseliny kyanfosfonove [Czech]; Phosphoramidocyanidic acid, N,N-dimethyl-, ethyl ester; O-Ethyl N,N-dimethyl phosphoramidocyanidate; C5H11N2O2P; N,N-dimethylamido-O-ethyl cyanophosphate

Trilon AS

Trilon AS (NTA) - chelating agents which basic purpose is water demineralizing and removal of the deposits containing Ca2 salts + and Mg2+. According to requirements of the standard tests OECD, Trilon AS possesses high ability to biodegradation.

The BASF company is the world's largest producer of nitrilotriuksusny acid and its salts. Thanks to own production technology, the BASF company has opportunity to offer the customers product with the high content of active component, the low maintenance of by-products and almost free of chlorides and other undesirable ions. We not only offer customers product of high degree of purity, but also we guarantee reliability of its deliveries. NTA shows the best ratio price/quality among chelating agents on the basis of aminocarboxylats, as has caused its wide popularity in the market.

Nitrilotriuksusny acid (NTA) is generally used in production of detergents - for water demineralizing and prevention of formation of deposits on different types of surfaces and on fabric. Products of the Trilon AS series, and especially easily loose powder Trilon AS 92 R, are ideal components of system of kompleksoobrazovatel in soap powders.

Products of the Trilon AS series are good replacement of the phosphates which are part of means for washing. The demand of besfosfatny detergents and in North America constantly grows in Europe.

Practice shows that such chelating aminocarboxyarmour as Trilon AS, are more effective, than citrates, in means for industrial dishwashers, thanks to their higher stability and ability very effectively to delete limy raid and strong pollution.

Trilon AS T is an aqueous solution of the trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid (Na3MGDA). It finds application in detergents, cleaning, textiles, soap, metal plating, oil and gas, and water-softening products. Trilon AS is readily biodegradable.
Trilon AS, methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt (MGDA-Na3) or trisodium α-DL-alanine diacetate (α-ADA), is the trisodium anion of N-(1-carboxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid and a tetradentate complexing agent. It forms stable 1:1 chelate complexes with cations having a charge number of at least +2, e.g. the "hard water forming" cations Ca2+ or Mg2+. α-ADA is distinguished from the isomeric β-alaninediacetic acid by better biodegradability and therefore improved environmental compatibility.

Production of Trilon AS
The patent literature on the industrial synthesis of Trilon AS describes the approaches for solving the key requirements of a manufacturing process that can be implemented on an industrial scale, characterized by
Achieving the highest possible space-time yields
Simple reaction control at relatively low pressures and temperatures
Realization of continuous process options

Achieving the lowest possible levels of impurities, particularly nitrilotriacetic acid, which is suspected of being carcinogenic
Use of inexpensive raw materials, e.g. instead of pure L-alanine the raw mixture of Strecker synthesis from methanal, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia
Avoidance of complex and yield-reducing isolation steps; instead, direct further use of the crude reaction solutions or precipitates in the following process step.
An obvious synthesis route to α-alaninediacetic acid is from racemic α-DL-alanine, which provides racemic α-ADA by double cyanomethylation with methanal and hydrogen cyanide, hydrolysis of the intermediately formed diacetonitrile to the trisodium salt and subsequent acidification with mineral acids in a 97.4% overall yield.[4] In a later patent specification, however, only an overall yield of 77% and an NTA content of 0.1% is achieved with practically the same quantities of substances and under practically identical reaction conditions.

MGDA Alanin
This later patent specification also indicates a process route via alaninonitrile, which is obtained by Strecker synthesis from hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and methanal and converted to methylglycinonitrile-N,N-diacetonitrile by double cyanomethylation (step 1). The three nitrile groups are then hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide to α-ADA (step 2). The total yield is given as 72%, the NTA content as 0.07%.

MGDA Alaninonitril
One variant of the reaction involves iminodiacetonitrile or iminodiacetic acid (step 1'), which reacts in a weakly acidic medium (pH 6) with hydrogen cyanide and ethanal to form methylglycinonitrile-N,N-diacetic acid, the nitrile group of which is hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide to Trilon AS (step 2'). The reactant iminodiacetic acid is accessible at low cost by dehydrogenation of diethanolamine. Again, the total yield is given as 72%, the NTA content as 0.07%.
A further variant is suitable for continuous production, in which ammonia, methanal and hydrogen cyanide react at pH 6 to form iminodiacetonitrile, which in a strongly acidic medium (pH 1.5) reacts with ethanal to produce trinitrile methylglycinonitrile-N,N-diacetonitrile in a very good yield of 92%. (step 1).

MGDA Iminodiacetonitril
Alkaline hydrolysis (step 2) results in a total yield of 85% Trilon AS with an NTA content of 0.08%. This process variant seems to fulfil the above-mentioned criteria best.
A low by-product synthesis route for Trilon AS has recently been described, in which alanine is ethoxylated with ethylene oxide in an autoclave to form bis-hydroxyethylaminoalanine and then oxidized to α-ADA at 190 °C with Raney copper under pressure.[6]
MGDA Ethoxylierung
The yields are over 90% d.Th., the NTA contents below 1%. The process conditions make this variant rather less attractive.

Properties of Trilon AS
The commercially available Trilon AS (84% by weight) is a colourless, water-soluble solid whose aqueous solutions are rapidly and completely degraded even by non-adapted bacteria. Aquatic toxicity to fish, daphnia and algae is low.[7] Trilon AS is described as readily biodegradable (OECD 301C) and is eliminated to >90 % in wastewater treatment plants.[8] Trilon AS has not yet been detected in the discharge of municipal and industrial sewage treatment plants. In addition to their very good biodegradability, Trilon AS solutions are characterized by high chemical stability even at temperatures above 200 °C (under pressure) in a wide pH range between 2 and 14 as well as high complex stability compared to other complexing agents of the aminopolycarboxylate type.
The complex formation constants of the biodegradable chelators α-ADA and IDS are in a range suitable for industrial use, but clearly below those of the previous standard EDTA.
In solid preparations, Trilon AS is stable against oxidizing agents such as perborates and percarbonates, but not against oxidizing acids or sodium hypochlorite.

Use of Trilon AS
Like other complexing agents in the aminopolycarboxylic acid class, Trilon AS (α-ADA) finds due to its ability to form stable chelate complexes with polyvalent ions (in particular the water hardening agents Ca2+ and Mg2+, as well as transition and heavy metal ions such as Fe3+, Mn2+, Cu2+, etc.) use in water softening, in detergents and cleaning agents, in electroplating, cosmetics, paper and textile production. Due to its stability at high temperatures and pH values, α-ADA should be particularly suitable as a substitute for the phosphates banned in the EU from 2017, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP)[12] in tabs for dishwashers.
BASF SE is the most important manufacturer of α-ADA under the brand name Trilon AS, has large-scale plants in Ludwigshafen and Lima, Ohio, and is currently expanding its existing capacities with another large-scale plant at Evonik's site in Theodore, Alabama.

Description of Trilon AS
Trilon AS is a chelating agent that delivers a non-toxic, environmentally friendly alternative to phosphates and other strong chelates. Methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) is the active ingredient and exceeds alternative products, like citrates, at removing lime scale and tough stains. Efficiently dissolve inorganic deposits and scales that produce undesirable effects like striking and spotting in dish wash and hard surface applications or limit the performance of surfactants and other additives in cleaners and detergents.
Trilon AS chelating agent improves cleaning performance in hard surface, automatic dishwasher and laundry operations. I&l customers can use lower concentrations, due to its low molecular weight, of this strong complexing agent in their cleaning formulations, making it more cost effective. This product is effective in both alkaline and acidic cleaners, and also demonstrates effective cleaning ability in a variety of applications, including general purpose cleaners, floor care products, warewashing detergents, disinfectants and sanitizers, laundry detergents, automatic dishwashers, vehicle wash aids, and hand cleansers.

Trilon AS is extremely efficient in combating hard water and allowing for the best cleaning performance to shine through. In formulas with anionic surfactants, it is especially important to have an effective chelating agent like Trilon AS, particularly in hard water conditions. Other chelating agents just don’t perform as well, and without the addition of one at all, there is hardly any cleaning shown.
The Trilon AS are very effective complexing agents for calcium in the alkaline pH range. This is an advantage in many detergent and cleaner applications.
➔ The Trilon AS are less likely to crystallise in the acidic pH
range than other aminocarboxylic acids, and they are still capable
of complexing iron ions effectively in the pH 2 – 3 range.

Comparison with weak complexing agents:
Weak complexing agents are incapable of reducing the concentration of free metal ions in aqueous systems to the same extent as the Trilon AS,
and the result is that they are unable to prevent metal ions from playing a
disruptive role in chemical processes. 
The Trilon AS are chemically very stable.
The Trilon AS have been shown to be very stable compared to other organic complexing agents such as citric acid, tartaric acid and gluconates,
especially at high temperatures.
Whereas inorganic sequestring agents (eg. phosphates) may hydrolyse at high temperatures, Trilon AS are stable – even when heated to 200 °C under pressure. Trilon M Powder and Trilon M Granules begin to decompose at approx. 300 °C.
The Trilon AS are resistant to strong acids and strong bases. They are gradually broken down by chromic acid, potassium permanganate and other strong oxidizing agents. Stability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate and perborate is sufficient for joint application. Nevertheless, we do not recommend combining Trilon AS and peroxides in liquid formulations.

Sodium hypochlorite and other substances that release chlorine cause the Trilon AS to decompose. Alkaline earth and heavy metal complexes are broken down. 
➔ Formulations that contain complexing agents have to remain chemically unchanged in storage and during transport in order to be able to unfold their full action. Many readily biodegradable complexing agents such as iminodisuccinates (IDS) and citrates are not sufficiently stable. The Trilon AS have excellent chemical stability under a wide range of conditions, and this ensures that formulations that contain Trilon AS remain effective over long periods. pH stability The Trilon AS are resistant to being broken down across the whole pH 2 – 14 range, even at elevated temperatures. For instance, formulations that contain Trilon AS and high concentrations of sodium hydroxide remain stable and do not precipitate. Other readily biodegradable complexing agents such as iminodisuccinate precipitate in alkaline media, and these weak complexing agents are then no longer able to keep metal ions in solution.

The miscibility and stability of the Trilon AS are excellent, even in highly acidic solutions. Many complexing agents cannot be employed in acidic formulations because they precipitate in the form of their sparingly soluble free acids. The Trilon AS have the advantage that they remain soluble and chemically stable, even in the acidic pH range.
➔ The Trilon AS boost the performance of highly alkaline formulations.
➔ The Trilon AS can also be employed in acidic formulations.
➔ The Trilon AS do not decompose even at an extreme pH.
Corrosion The Trilon AS stabilize polyvalent metal ions, which means that they can increase the rate at which metals dissolve. Nevertheless, with the exception of aluminium, an oxidizing agent such as air always has to be present for corrosion to take place. Unalloyed steel is prone to corrosion in media that contain air, but corrosion can be reduced substantially if the pH is in the alkaline range and can be eliminated almost completely if oxygen and other oxidizing agents are excluded. Steel cleaned with the Trilon AS in the slightly alkaline range, which is the optimum pH range for the Trilon AS, is much less prone to corrosion than if it is cleaned with acids. 

The only type of corrosion that has been observed with the Trilon AS is uniform corrosion: pitting or stress cracking have not been observed in
media with a low chloride content. One of the advantages of the Trilon AS is that they can be supplied with a very low chloride content (< 20 mg/kg). The following information on materials is of a very general nature, because corrosion depends on many different factors such as exposure to air, galvanic corrosion caused by the presence of different metals and by the flow patterns of liquids. The compatibility of Trilon AS with different materials needs to be tested in each individual case.

Austenitic stainless steels such as AISI/SAE 304, 316 Ti and 321 are very effective for vessels used to store and transport Trilon AS. The corrosion resistance of ferritic carbon steel such as ASTM A201 Grade B (European Material No. P265GH) is limited. A rate of corrosion of 0.01 mm/a has been measured at 50 °C and air exclusion. Crevice corrosion has also occasionally been observed on welded joints, and so we would not recommend storing the Trilon AS in vessels made from unalloyed carbon steel for any prolonged length of time. The rate of corrosion can be reduced by
removing the air from the system.

Aluminium and aluminium alloys such as AL 7075 T6 (European Material No. 3.4365) are not resistant to Trilon AS, because Trilon AS is alkaline and aluminium is quickly corroded by strong bases. Solutions that contain Trilon AS are much less corrosive to aluminium if their pH is adjusted to 5 – 7.  The following points need to be taken into account when comparing the performance of the Trilon AS with weaker complexing agents.
➔ The quantity of complexing agent that is required to sequester a given concentration of calcium ions depends on the strength of the complexing agent. The Trilon AS have a more effective complexing action, and much smaller quantities are required to obtain the same effect as with IDS.
➔ The quantities of complexing agents that need to be applied also depend on their active content. The Trilon AS have a higher active content than many competitors’ products because they contain fewer by-products. Inhibiting calcium carbonate Phosphonates and water-soluble polymers are often used to prevent scale calcium carbonate from precipitating and forming scale. These substances act by temporarily delaying the onset of crystallisation. Chelating agents such as the Trilon AS act differently, because they prevent salts from precipitating and forming scale by sequestering the calcium ions. Scale can form if phosphonates or water-soluble polymers are used, depending on the concentrations of calcium ions and polymer or phosphonates, because the calcium ions do not form permanent bonds.

➔ The Trilon AS can be used to boost the action of polyacrylates and phosphonates in inhibiting scale formation. They can enhance the overall performance of scale inhibitor formulations. There is a need for phosphonates to be replaced in many applications because of issues concerning the effects of phosphorus compounds on aquatic life and water quality. Aminocarboxylates often perform better at a high pH, but phosphonates perform better at a low pH because they are more soluble than many aminocarboxylates. The solubility of the Trilon AS at a low pH is very good and they are quite capable of competing with phosphonates.

The Trilon AS are an effective alternative to EDTA for removing calcium phosphate scale. The high performance of EDTA remains unsurpassed, but the performance of the Trilon AS is by far the best of all of the readily biodegradable complexing agents. Weak complexing agents such as iminodisuccinate (IDS), ethylenediaminedisuccinate (EDDS), hydroxyethyliminodiacetate (HEIDA) and citrate are completely ineffective for dissolving stubborn calcium phosphate scale.
➔ The Trilon AS are the best choice when it comes to finding a readily biodegradable complexing agent for dissolving calcium phosphate scale.
Organic scale Calcium stearate and calcium oleate (lime soaps) 

Fatty acids and soaps also react with calcium ions to form sparingly soluble deposits in the kitchen, in the bathroom and on textiles. Lime, magnesium and heavy metals can form soaps that precipitate and give rise to spots and stains, dull surfaces, a rancid odour and poor wettability. They can also cause uneven dyeing, turbidity and changes in colour and cause rubber to perish. The Trilon AS are very effective for dissolving the scale formed by lime soaps and preventing scale from building up, and they are much more effective than weak complexing agents such as IDS or HEIDA. The Trilon AS can be used to stabilise bleach. They prevent hydrogen peroxide decomposing too quickly by sequestering iron, manganese and copper ions. The Trilon AS are an effective alternative to established bleach stabilisers such as EDTA, but the performance of EDTA is still unsurpassed. If local restrictions prevent EDTA from being used, the Trilon AS and Trilon P Liquid supplied by BASF are effective alternatives for stabilising bleach. Trilon AS is an inherently bioeliminable complexing agent that can also be used in combination with the Trilon AS to sequester iron, manganese and copper ions. 

We know of no ill effects that could have resulted from using the Trilon AS for the purpose for which they are intended and from
processing them in accordance with current practice. According to the experience we have gained over many years and other information at our disposal, the Trilon AS do not exert any harmful effects on health, provided that they are used properly, due attention is given to the precautions necessary for handling chemicals, and the information and advice given in our Safety Data Sheets are observed.
Storage Trilon AS should not be stored at temperatures below 0 °C, because this can cause them to precipitate. It can be reconstituted by heating it briefly to 40 – 50 °C and stirring. Trilon M Powder is hygroscopic, and so it should be kept in tightly sealed containers.

The Trilon AS have a shelf life of one year in their tightly sealed original packaging. We would recommend storing Trilon AS in tanks made from AISI 316 Ti or AISI 321 stainless steel. Ecology and toxicology The Trilon AS have an excellent ecological and toxicological profile and there are no restrictions on their use in many applications. The active ingredient contained in the Trilon AS, MGDA, is classified as being readily biodegradable according to the OECD criteria. In these tests, the test substance is broken down by bacteria under standardised conditions.
➔ The Trilon AS are classified as being readily biodegradable. The products supplied by BASF conform to ecological and toxicological stringent standards in order to protect the environment. BASF has submitted the Trilon AS to a thorough programme of tests and possesses a very extensive collection of data on the Trilon AS. 

Trilon AS T is an aqueous solution of the trisodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid (Na3MGDA). It finds application in detergents, cleaning, textiles, soap, metal plating, oil and gas, and water-softening products. Trilon AS is readily biodegradable.
Trilon AS, methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt (MGDA-Na3) or trisodium α-DL-alanine diacetate (α-ADA), is the trisodium anion of N-(1-carboxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid and a tetradentate complexing agent. It forms stable 1:1 chelate complexes with cations having a charge number of at least +2, e.g. the "hard water forming" cations Ca2+ or Mg2+. α-ADA is distinguished from the isomeric β-alaninediacetic acid by better biodegradability and therefore improved environmental compatibility.

Production of Trilon AS
The patent literature on the industrial synthesis of Trilon AS describes the approaches for solving the key requirements of a manufacturing process that can be implemented on an industrial scale, characterized by
Achieving the highest possible space-time yields
Simple reaction control at relatively low pressures and temperatures

Realization of continuous process options
Achieving the lowest possible levels of impurities, particularly nitrilotriacetic acid, which is suspected of being carcinogenic
Use of inexpensive raw materials, e.g. instead of pure L-alanine the raw mixture of Strecker synthesis from methanal, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia
Avoidance of complex and yield-reducing isolation steps; instead, direct further use of the crude reaction solutions or precipitates in the following process step.

An obvious synthesis route to α-alaninediacetic acid is from racemic α-DL-alanine, which provides racemic α-ADA by double cyanomethylation with methanal and hydrogen cyanide, hydrolysis of the intermediately formed diacetonitrile to the trisodium salt and subsequent acidification with mineral acids in a 97.4% overall yield.[4] In a later patent specification, however, only an overall yield of 77% and an NTA content of 0.1% is achieved with practically the same quantities of substances and under practically identical reaction conditions.
MGDA Alanin
This later patent specification also indicates a process route via alaninonitrile, which is obtained by Strecker synthesis from hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and methanal and converted to methylglycinonitrile-N,N-diacetonitrile by double cyanomethylation (step 1). The three nitrile groups are then hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide to α-ADA (step 2). The total yield is given as 72%, the NTA content as 0.07%.
MGDA Alaninonitril
One variant of the reaction involves iminodiacetonitrile or iminodiacetic acid (step 1'), which reacts in a weakly acidic medium (pH 6) with hydrogen cyanide and ethanal to form methylglycinonitrile-N,N-diacetic acid, the nitrile group of which is hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide to Trilon AS (step 2'). The reactant iminodiacetic acid is accessible at low cost by dehydrogenation of diethanolamine. Again, the total yield is given as 72%, the NTA content as 0.07%.

A further variant is suitable for continuous production, in which ammonia, methanal and hydrogen cyanide react at pH 6 to form iminodiacetonitrile, which in a strongly acidic medium (pH 1.5) reacts with ethanal to produce trinitrile methylglycinonitrile-N,N-diacetonitrile in a very good yield of 92%. (step 1).
MGDA Iminodiacetonitril
Alkaline hydrolysis (step 2) results in a total yield of 85% Trilon AS with an NTA content of 0.08%. This process variant seems to fulfil the above-mentioned criteria best.
A low by-product synthesis route for Trilon AS has recently been described, in which alanine is ethoxylated with ethylene oxide in an autoclave to form bis-hydroxyethylaminoalanine and then oxidized to α-ADA at 190 °C with Raney copper under pressure.
BTC offers under the brand name Trilon AS a broad product range of high performance and innovative complexing agents, also known as chelating agents. Chelating agents are able to prevent the deleterious impact of calcification in detergents and cleaning agents. The chelating agents of the Trilon AS product range are used, besides others,
to avoid the formation of poorly soluble precipitations,
to prevent the undesirable decomposition of constituents of formulations,
to prevent discolouration or rancidity.
They bind and mask reliably the metal ions and guarantee smooth processing and efficient employment of water. The production of detergents and cleaners triggers a huge demand complexing agents which can be fulfilled with BTCs Trilon AS grades.

Brands
Trilon AS
Properties of Trilon AS grades for the prevention of calcification in detergents and cleaning agents
BTC’s Trilon AS chelating agents belong mainly to the class of amino carboxylates which are organic complexing agents. They are available
in powder or in liquid form, or as granules;
as pure acid version or salt version;
in very high purity as high-quality grades for special applications
Household and industrial cleaning formulations include chelating additives to soften hard water. Thus, the formation of lime scale, inorganic scale formation is prevented. Trilon AS grades form typically 1:1 complexes. The high stability of these compounds makes them ideal for many industrial processes. They show a very good solubilisation property of the formed complexes.

Based on the used amino carboxylic acid the following organic chelating additives are available:   
Trilon AS B grades; ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, or Na-salt (EDTA)
Trilon AS M grades; methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA)
Trilon AS Ultimate grades; modified MGDA
Trilon AS P grade (modified anionic polyamine)
The Trilon AS P grade is a non-amino polycarboxylate. It provides outstanding chelating properties especially for chelating iron molecules in alkaline areas.
Trilon AS M grades represent the newest generation of complexing agents. Based on methylglycine diacetic acid the product provides a very good chelating performance in addition with a readily biodegradability property. The excellent ecological and toxicological profile of Trilon AS M has been verified in various repeated studies.

The Trilon AS M grades offer versatile synergistic properties like enhanced stain removal property;
substitute for sodium tripolyphosphate. The strongly limited use of phosphates as a builder in detergents, especially in home care automatic dish washing formulations, triggers the need of phosphate-free alternatives.
Trilon AS M Max grades provide extra performance like colour stability.
Trilon AS M Max based now on renewable resources. Trilon AS M Max BioBased and Trilon AS M Max EcoBalanced. Thus sustainability of chelating agents are taken to the next level. Trilon AS M Max BioBased is produced from sugar-based Alanin, thus the content of bio-based carbon is measurable. Trilon AS M Max BioBased guarantees a bio-based Carbon Content of 43% with a total bio-based content of 32% (also considering other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen). 

Trilon AS M Max EcoBalanced, the first renewables-based Trilon AS M grade produced according to the biomass balance approach. This approach replaces fossil feedstock with renewable feedstock such as bio-naphtha or biogas at the very beginning of production. The renewable feedstock is then allocated to Trilon AS M Max EcoBalanced, using a TÜV Nord-certified method. This allows BASF to fully replace fossil feedstock by renewables, not only saving scarce fossil resources, but also reducing damaging greenhouse gas emissions. The Trilon AS M Max EcoBalanced is 100 percent renewables-based, thus helping to protect the environment and the climate without compromising on the high quality BASF customers expect. Trilon AS M Max EcoBalanced has now been awarded certification based on the global REDcert2 scheme. In 2019, BASF transferred certification of biomass balanced products to the new global REDcert2 scheme for the chemical industry. BASF has established a closed chain of custody for the biomass balance approach that extends from the renewable feedstock right through to the final product. Independent certification by TÜV Nord in compliance with the global REDcert2 scheme confirms to the customer that BASF has fully replaced the entire quantity of fossil feedstock required to make Trilon AS M Max EcoBalanced with renewables right from the start of the production process.

Trilon AS Ultimate grades are modified MGDA grades. They show besides others improved anti glass corrosiveness.
Applications of Trilon AS grades for the prevention of calcification in detergents and cleaning agents
BTC’s Trilon AS grades are used in applications like formulations for automatic dish washing, either liquid or solid; 
chelate based and phosphate-free builder systems; 
laundry formulations; formulations for floor and hard surface cleaners, toilet cleaners and car cleaners.
Further applications for our Trilon AS grades include
industrial and institutional cleaners for the food and beverage industry;
cleaners for the dairy industry;
ware washing and professional car, truck and bus cleaning formulations.