Ethylenediamine disuccinic acid

Product Overview

Ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), CAS 20846-91-7, molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆N₂Na₃O₈⁻, molecular weight 292.243, is a highly effective and fully biodegradable chelating agent. It is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chelants such as EDTA, with excellent metal-binding capacity across a wide pH range.

Key Properties

• Biodegradable: Rapidly breaks down in natural environments, leaving no persistent residues
• Strong Chelating Power: Forms stable complexes with heavy metals including Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺
• Broad pH Range: Effective in both acidic and alkaline conditions
• Non-toxic: Safe for human health and aquatic ecosystems
• Appearance: White solid, melting point 220–222 °C, density 1.5 ± 0.1 g/cm³

Applications

• Detergents & Cleaners: Replaces EDTA in household and industrial detergents as a water softener and heavy metal sequestrant
• Water Treatment: Chelates heavy metal ions in industrial wastewater treatment and desulfurization systems
• Agriculture: Acts as a micronutrient chelating agent for foliar fertilizers, improving trace element (Fe, Zn, Mn) uptake by crops
• Soil Remediation: Enhances extraction of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd) from contaminated soils through chelant-assisted phytoextraction
• Paper & Pulp Industry: Controls transition metal ions that catalyze peroxide decomposition in bleaching processes
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Used as a stabilizer and chelating agent in skincare and hair care formulations

Environmental Advantages

• Readily biodegradable under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, unlike EDTA which persists in the environment
• Approved by major environmental agencies as a green chelating agent
• Compatible with existing industrial processes without requiring equipment modification