Tetraacetylethylenediamine

Tetraacetylethylenediamine (CAS 10543-57-4), commonly known as TAED, is a bleach activator used in detergent and cleaning formulations to boost oxidative performance at lower wash temperatures.

It reacts with hydrogen peroxide or perborate salts to generate peracetic acid in situ, enabling effective bleaching without elevated heat. In laundry detergents, TAED is the standard activator.

It works with sodium percarbonate and sodium perborate systems, allowing cold-water washing to achieve stain removal performance comparable to hot-wash cycles. This saves significant energy during use.

Textile and paper processors use it to activate peroxide bleaching baths, reducing energy costs while maintaining whiteness targets on cellulosic substrates. It is highly efficient in these industrial settings.

Personal care formulators incorporate TAED into tooth-whitening systems and oxidative hair color products where controlled peracid generation is required. It ensures safety and efficacy in consumer goods.

Industrial and institutional cleaning products rely on it to deliver sanitizing and biocidal action through in-situ peracetic acid formation in hard surface and food-contact applications for safety.

TAED is supplied as a white to off-white granular powder or compacted granule, with granule grades engineered for controlled dissolution rates in detergent manufacturing. This allows for precise dosing.

Standard commercial specifications typically range from 94% to 98% active content, with detergent-grade being the dominant market form. Bulk supply is available in bags and big bags for operations.