Ethylenediamine-n,n'-disuccinic acid

Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (CAS 20846-91-7), commonly known as EDDS, is a biodegradable aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent used across industrial and consumer formulations.

It binds heavy metal ions — particularly iron, copper, and manganese — to prevent interference in product performance and process stability. In personal care formulations, EDDS sequesters trace metals.

This protects fragrance and active ingredients from metal-catalyzed degradation in rinse-off and leave-on products. Water treatment applications use it to control scale-forming metal ions effectively.

It also improves the efficiency of oxidative treatment processes. In agriculture, it functions as a metal chelate carrier — particularly for iron — enabling micronutrient delivery in fertilizer formulations.

This is vital where soil pH would otherwise render metals unavailable to plants. Textile and paper processing operations rely on EDDS to deactivate heavy metals that interfere with bleaching.

By improving consistency and reducing chemical waste, it enhances dyeing processes. EDDS is supplied primarily as an aqueous solution, with the trisodium and tetrasodium salt forms available.

Technical and industrial grades are standard across most supply channels. Buyers should confirm the stereoisomeric form, as the [S,S] enantiomer delivers the highest chelation efficiency.

This specific form is the specification most commonly referenced in formulation and agricultural applications. It ensures optimal performance across diverse industrial and chemical manufacturing sectors.