Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate or  Tetrasodium iminidisuccinate is the sodium salt of Iminodisuccinic acid.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Tetrasodium indicates the presence of four sodium ions in the compound. These sodium ions are typically associated with the carboxylate groups in the molecule, neutralising their negative charge.
• Imino refers to the presence of an imino group in the molecule. An imino group is similar to an amine group, but involves a double bond with a nitrogen atom.
• Disuccinate means that the molecule contains two succinate groups. Succinate is a dicarboxylic acid, but in this case it is present in its deprotonated form (succinate ion), which is why sodium ions are needed to balance the charge.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps:

• Preparation of iminodisuccinic acid (IDS): this is the core structure of the molecule. It can be synthesised by reacting maleic anhydride with ammonia or an ammonium salt. This reaction forms iminodisuccinic acid.
• Neutralisation. The IDS is then neutralised with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). This step converts the acid groups of the IDS to their sodium salt form, resulting in the formation of tetrasodium iminodisuccinate.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Chelating agent. It has the function of preventing unstable reactions and improving the bioavailability of chemical components within a product, and removes calcium and magnesium cations that can cause cloudiness in clear liquids.

it is an antiscaling agent and corrosion inhibitor.

It is also used as an additive or technological adjuvant in the production of detergents, cleaning agents, paper, fabrics, photographic and agricultural products.

Tetrasodium iminidisuccinate studies

• Molecular Formula: C₈H₇NNa₄O₈
• Molecular Weight: 337.102 g/mol
• CAS: 144538-83-0  784209-05-8  176499-41-5
• EC Number: 604-420-0

• Aspartic Acid, N-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)-, Sodium Salt (1:4)
• imino disuccinic acid sodium salt
• Aspartic acid, N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-, tetrasodium salt
• Sodium 2,2'-azanediyldisuccinate
• Aspartic acid, N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-, sodium salt (1:4)
• Tetrasodium=2,2'-iminodisuccinate