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Trisodium citrate dihydrate is a white, crystalline, slightly hygroscopic powder with a pleasant, salty-sour taste.
It represents the fully neutralized sodium salt of citric acid, containing two waters of crystallization that contribute to its stability and handling characteristics.
The compound exhibits excellent water solubility (72 g/100 mL at 25°C) and functions as a versatile sequestering agent, buffering agent, and emulsifying salt across numerous industrial applications.
The specified particle size range of 30-100 mesh (approximately 150-600 microns) ensures optimal flow properties, dissolution rates, and uniform dispersion in formulated products.
Its three sodium ions and citrate anion create a highly water-soluble complex that effectively chelates di- and trivalent metal ions, making it indispensable in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cleaning formulations.
Systematic Name: Trisodium 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate dihydrate
Common Name: Trisodium citrate dihydrate
CAS Number: 6132-04-3
EC Number: 200-675-3
Molecular Formula: C₆H₅Na₃O₇·2H₂O or Na₃C₆H₅O₇·2H₂O
Molecular Weight: 294.10 g/mol
Synonyms:
Sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate
Citric acid trisodium salt dihydrate
Natrocitral (pharmaceutical trade name)
E331 (food additive code)
TSC (common abbreviation)
Sodium hydrogen citrate dihydrate
Trisodium salt of 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid dihydrate
Molecular Architecture and Functional Characteristics
Crystal Structure Analysis:
The dihydrate form crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2₁/c. Each citrate anion coordinates with three sodium ions and two water molecules through a complex hydrogen bonding network:
Coordination Geometry: Sodium ions exhibit octahedral coordination with oxygen atoms
Hydrogen Bonding: Extensive network involving carboxylate groups and water molecules
Water Positions: Two crystallographically distinct water molecules with different hydrogen bonding patterns
Packing Efficiency: Dense molecular packing with calculated density of 1.76 g/cm³
The citrate anion acts as a tridentate ligand with three carboxylate groups capable of coordinating metal ions with stability constants:
Ca²⁺: log K = 3.5
Mg²⁺: log K = 3.4
Fe³⁺: log K = 11.5
Al³⁺: log K = 8.1
Particle Size Significance (30-100 Mesh):
The specified mesh range offers optimal performance characteristics:
Flow Properties: Excellent for automated dispensing systems
Dissolution Rate: Rapid yet controlled dissolution in aqueous systems
Dust Control: Reduced airborne particles compared to finer grades
Uniform Dispersion: Consistent distribution in dry blends
Packaging Efficiency: Optimal bulk density for storage and transport
Industrial Synthesis and Manufacturing Excellence
Quality Control Parameters:
Assay (Dried Basis): 99.0-100.5% as C₆H₅Na₃O₇
Loss on Drying: 10.0-13.0% (theoretical 11.0% for dihydrate)
pH (5% Solution): 7.5-9.0
Heavy Metals: <10 ppm
Arsenic: <3 ppm
Chloride: <50 ppm
Sulfate: <150 ppm
Oxalate: Passes test (limit ~100 ppm)
Readily Carbonizable Substances: Passes test
Microbial Limits: <1000 cfu/g (pharmaceutical grade)
Economic Analysis:
Production Capacity: Global >500,000 MT/year
Capital Investment: $15-20 million for 50,000 MT/year facility
Operating Costs: Raw materials (65%), energy (20%), labor (10%), other (5%)
Profit Margins: 15-25% depending on grade and market
Value Addition: Pharmaceutical grade commands 50-100% premium over technical grade
Multidisciplinary Application Development
Food and Beverage Industry (45% of consumption):
Functional Roles:
Buffering Agent: Maintains pH in soft drinks, jams, and dairy products
Emulsifying Salt: In processed cheese (1-3%) for uniform texture and melt properties
Sequestering Agent: Prevents metal-catalyzed oxidation in oils and beverages
Flavor Enhancer: Modulates acidity and enhances fruit flavors
Preservative Synergist: Enhances effectiveness of other preservatives
Performance Outcomes:
Melt Characteristics: Uniform melt without oil separation
Texture: Smooth, sliceable consistency
Shelf Life: Extended to 6-9 months
Process Efficiency: Continuous production enabled
Pharmaceutical Applications (25% of consumption):
Therapeutic and Formulation Uses:
Anticoagulant: In blood collection tubes (3.2-3.8% concentration)
Alkalizing Agent: In oral rehydration solutions and urinary alkalinizers
Excipient: As buffering agent in tablet and capsule formulations
Chelating Agent: In metal poisoning treatments
Stabilizer: For protein-based pharmaceuticals
Medical Device Application:
Hemodialysis Solutions: Maintains electrolyte balance
Cardioplegia Solutions: Myocardial protection during cardiac surgery
Peritoneal Dialysis: Buffer in dialysis solutions
Performance: Maintains pH 7.35-7.45 in biological systems
Cleaning and Detergent Industry (20% of consumption):
Mechanisms of Action:
Water Softening: Sequesters Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions (200-250 mg CaCO₃/g)
Soil Suspension: Prevents redeposition on fabrics
Buffer Capacity: Maintains optimal pH for enzyme activity
Corrosion Inhibition: Protects washing machine components
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TRISODIUM CITRATE DIHYDRATE (30-100 MESH)
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
