Physical properties of GLDA.Na4

GLDA·Na₄ (Tetrasodium Salt of N,N-Bis(carboxymethyl)-L-glutamic acid) is a biodegradable, non-toxic chelating agent widely used in detergents, personal care, agriculture, and industrial cleaning due to its high stability and eco-friendliness. Below are its key physical properties:

1. Basic Physical Characteristics

Property Value/Description

Chemical Formula C₉H₉NNa₄O₈ (Tetrasodium salt form)

Molecular Weight ~351.1 g/mol

Appearance White to off-white crystalline powder

Odor Odorless

Solubility Highly soluble in water (>500 g/L at 20°C)

pH (1% aqueous solution) ~11–12 (alkaline)

Density ~1.3–1.5 g/cm³ (bulk density)

Melting Point Decomposes before melting (~300°C)

2. Stability & Compatibility

Thermal Stability: Stable up to ~200°C; decomposes at higher temperatures.

pH Stability: Effective in pH 3–12, but most stable in alkaline conditions.

Oxidative Stability: Resists oxidation better than EDTA or NTA.

3. Chelation Capacity

Metal Binding: Forms stable complexes with Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺/³⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and other heavy metals.

Chelation Strength: Comparable to EDTA but with better biodegradability.

4. Environmental & Safety Data

Parameter Value

Biodegradability >60% (OECD 301B, readily biodegradable)

Ecotoxicity Low toxicity to aquatic life

Skin Irritation Mild (non-corrosive)

Storage Keep dry, sealed, at room temperature

Key Advantages of GLDA·Na₄

✔ Eco-friendly – Replaces EDTA/NTA in green formulations.

✔ High solubility – Works well in liquid detergents and cleaners.

✔ Broad pH stability – Effective in both acidic and alkaline systems.

✔ Excellent chelation – Removes hard water ions and heavy metals efficiently.

Applications

Detergents & Cleaners: Enhances surfactant performance in hard water.

Personal Care: Chelator in shampoos, soaps (replaces EDTA).

Agriculture: Micronutrient chelator in fertilizers.

Industrial: Boiler descaling, metal cleaning, pulp/paper processing.