What Is EDTA-4Na? Complete Guide to CAS 64-02-8

Written by: ALEN, Chemical Engineer, MOSINTER | 15 years in vitamin manufacturing and pharmaceutical APIs
 

Two weeks ago, a formulation chemist from a European cosmetics company reached out with a familiar dilemma. She had been sourcing EDTA-4Na from three different suppliers, yet batch-to-batch inconsistency kept disrupting her production line. One shipment dissolved perfectly; the next left cloudy residues. Sound familiar? If you've been burned by unreliable chelating agent quality, you're not alone.

EDTA-4Na (CAS 64-02-8), also known as Sodium Edetate or Tetrasodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid, is a highly effective chelating agent that binds metal ions in aqueous solutions. This white crystalline powder (molecular formula C₁₀H₁₂N₂Na₄O₈) belongs to the ethylenediamine salt family and has become indispensable across industries-from cosmetics and personal care to food processing, textile manufacturing, and industrial cleaning. According to PubChem (CID 6144), EDTA-4Na exhibits excellent water solubility, making it the preferred choice when complete dissolution matters.

In This Guide:

1. What Makes EDTA-4Na Different from Other EDTA Forms?

2. Key Properties and Technical Specifications

3. Industrial Applications: Where Is EDTA-4Na Used?

4. How to Evaluate EDTA-4Na Supplier Quality

5. Storage and Handling Best Practices

6. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Makes EDTA-4Na Different from Other EDTA Forms?

Here's something most suppliers won't explain clearly: not all EDTA salts behave the same way in your formulations. I've seen procurement teams order EDTA-2Na when they actually needed EDTA-4Na, leading to pH imbalances and wasted production batches.

The critical difference lies in sodium content and resulting pH. EDTA-4Na (tetrasodium salt) delivers a strongly alkaline solution-approximately pH 11.3 at 1% concentration-while EDTA-2Na (disodium salt) produces a near-neutral pH around 4-5. This matters tremendously for cosmetics requiring alkaline conditions or industrial cleaning applications where higher pH enhances performance.

The chelating mechanism works through the four carboxylic acid groups and two amine groups forming octadentate complexes with metal ions. This 'molecular claw' grabs onto calcium, magnesium, iron, and other problematic metals, preventing them from interfering with your product chemistry.

2. Key Properties and Technical Specifications

When evaluating EDTA-4Na suppliers, understanding the technical specifications separates informed buyers from those who get stuck with substandard material. During my 15 years formulating pharmaceutical APIs, I've learned that minor specification deviations can cascade into major production headaches.

Quality EDTA-4Na should meet these benchmarks: purity ≥99%, heavy metals ≤10ppm, and a clean white crystalline appearance without yellowing or caking. The melting point exceeds 300°C, indicating proper crystalline structure and absence of hydration issues.

According to the EPA's comprehensive assessment of EDTA, EDTA salts have been thoroughly evaluated for safety in food contact applications and industrial uses. The FDA regulations (21 CFR 172.120) establish clear guidelines for EDTA use as food additives in the United States.

3. Industrial Applications: Where Is EDTA-4Na Used?

Walk through any cosmetics manufacturing facility, textile dyeing operation, or water treatment plant, and you'll likely find EDTA-4Na playing a critical behind-the-scenes role. Its versatility stems from one core capability: sequestering metal ions that would otherwise wreak havoc on product performance.

The primary applications span five major industries: cosmetics and personal care (stabilizing formulations and enhancing cleaning), food processing (preventing oxidation and discoloration), textile manufacturing (improving dye uptake), petroleum operations (scale inhibition), and industrial cleaning (boosting detergent efficacy).
 

For detailed product specifications, visit our EDTA-4Na product page for complete COA documentation and ordering information.

4. How to Evaluate EDTA-4Na Supplier Quality

After sourcing chemicals for over two decades, I've developed a mental checklist that's saved our clients from costly supplier mistakes. The EDTA-4Na market, particularly for China-origin material, varies dramatically in quality-and price doesn't always correlate with purity.

Three non-negotiable quality indicators: First, request lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) showing assay, heavy metals, and pH values. Second, verify the supplier's manufacturing credentials-ISO 9001 certification at minimum. Third, ask about production capacity and consistency; suppliers handling 50,000+ tons annually typically maintain better quality control systems.

Supplier Evaluation Checklist

Explore our complete range of chelating agents including EDTA-2Na, EDTA acid, and specialty formulations for specific industrial requirements.

5. Storage and Handling Best Practices

Improper storage remains one of the most overlooked causes of EDTA-4Na quality degradation. I've visited facilities where perfectly good material turned into unusable clumps simply because of moisture exposure during warehouse storage.

The essential storage protocol: Keep containers tightly sealed in a cool, dry area with relative humidity below 65%. EDTA-4Na is hygroscopic-it actively absorbs moisture from the air. Store away from strong acids and oxidizing agents. Under proper conditions, shelf life extends to 24 months from manufacturing date.

For handling safety information and regulatory compliance, we recommend reviewing our chemical safety documentation and requesting product-specific MSDS sheets.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Is EDTA-4Na the same as Sodium Edetate?

Yes, EDTA-4Na and Sodium Edetate refer to the same compound-Tetrasodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The chemical industry uses multiple naming conventions: EDTA-4Na indicates four sodium atoms, while "Edetate" is the pharmaceutical nomenclature. CAS 64-02-8 identifies both designations in regulatory databases.

What is the difference between EDTA-4Na and EDTA-2Na?

EDTA-4Na contains four sodium ions and creates alkaline solutions (pH ~11), while EDTA-2Na has two sodium ions and produces acidic solutions (pH ~4-5). Choose EDTA-4Na for applications requiring higher pH or complete neutralization, and EDTA-2Na when near-neutral pH is essential for your formulation stability.

Is EDTA-4Na safe for cosmetic use?

EDTA-4Na has been reviewed and deemed safe for cosmetic applications by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel. It appears in thousands of cosmetic formulations worldwide at concentrations typically below 2%. The ingredient demonstrates minimal skin absorption and no carcinogenic potential in safety assessments.

What is the minimum order quantity for EDTA-4Na?

At MOSINTER, our minimum order quantity is 10 metric tons (10T) for EDTA-4Na. With annual production capacity of 50,000T/year, we accommodate both medium-scale operations and large industrial buyers. Customized packaging according to customer requirements is available.

How long does delivery take for EDTA-4Na orders?

Standard delivery time is 7 days for in-stock EDTA-4Na. We ship via ocean, air, and land freight depending on your location and urgency. Payment terms include T/T and Western Union. For time-sensitive orders, contact our team to discuss expedited shipping options.

 

Conclusion

EDTA-4Na (CAS 64-02-8) remains the chelating agent of choice when alkaline conditions and complete water solubility matter for your application. With 21 years of industry experience, MOSINTER delivers consistent quality backed by 50,000T/year production capacity and 7-day delivery.

Ready to source reliable EDTA-4Na? Contact our technical team today for specifications, pricing, and sample arrangements.

Contact MOSINTER: WhatsApp: +8618989305995 Email: info1@mosinterchem.com Product Page: www.moschemical.com/chelating-agent/edta-4na-cas-64-02-8-sodium-edetate.html

Last Updated: January 2026