What Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
TL;DR: Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate is the dihydrate form of sodium glucoheptonate, a water-soluble organic chelating agent that binds metal ions such as calcium, magnesium and iron. It is used in alkaline cleaning, metal treatment, water treatment and other industrial formulations.
What Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate is a hydrated form of sodium glucoheptonate, an organic sodium salt derived from glucoheptonic acid. It contains the sodium glucoheptonate molecule together with two molecules of crystallization water, which is why it is described as a dihydrate.
The compound is also known as Glucoheptonic Acid Sodium Salt Dihydrate or Glucosecarboxylic Acid Sodium Salt Dihydrate. Commercial chemical references identify sodium glucoheptonate with CAS No. 31138-65-5, while TCI specifically lists its dihydrate product as C₇H₁₃NaO₈·2H₂O, with a molecular weight of 284.19 g/mol for the hydrated form.
The distinction between the anhydrous and hydrated molecular weight is important when comparing technical documents. The sodium glucoheptonate portion has a formula weight of approximately 248.16 g/mol, while adding two water molecules gives the dihydrate a calculated molecular weight of approximately 284.19 g/mol.
For industrial buyers, however, the most important characteristic is not simply the molecular weight. Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate is valuable because its molecular structure provides multiple oxygen-containing functional groups that can interact with dissolved metal ions.
Why Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Called a Dihydrate?
“Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate” means that the crystalline material contains two molecules of water associated with each molecule of sodium glucoheptonate.
The hydrated form can therefore be represented as:
C₇H₁₃NaO₈·2H₂O
The two water molecules are part of the crystalline form of the material rather than a separate liquid ingredient added during formulation. TCI reports approximately 11–14% water for its sodium glucoheptonate dihydrate specification, which is consistent with a hydrated solid.
This is one reason buyers should not compare the assay or molecular weight of sodium glucoheptonate products without first checking whether the specification is reported on an anhydrous basis or hydrated basis.
For bulk procurement, the certificate of analysis should clearly identify the product form, assay method and water content.
What Is the Chemical Formula of Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
The commonly listed formula for sodium glucoheptonate dihydrate is:
C₇H₁₃NaO₈·2H₂O
The corresponding molecular weight is approximately:
284.19 g/mol
The anhydrous sodium glucoheptonate portion is generally listed as C₇H₁₃NaO₈, with a molecular weight of approximately 248.16 g/mol.
There is some inconsistency across commercial databases because many databases assign CAS 31138-65-5 to sodium glucoheptonate while individual suppliers may sell the material as the dihydrate. For example, TCI explicitly identifies its G0214 product as Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate and lists the hydrated molecular formula separately.
For this reason, buyers should rely on the supplier’s current TDS, SDS and COA rather than comparing molecular-weight figures from different database entries alone.
How Does Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate Work as a Chelating Agent?
Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate works primarily through metal-ion complexation. Its molecular structure contains a carboxylate group and multiple hydroxyl groups containing oxygen atoms. These oxygen-containing groups can interact with positively charged metal ions and form soluble complexes.
This property allows sodium glucoheptonate to interact with ions such as:
- Calcium (Ca²⁺)
- Magnesium (Mg²⁺)
- Iron ions
- Aluminum ions
- Other multivalent metal ions
The EPA’s chemical assessment describes sodium glucoheptonate as a hydroxycarboxylic acid salt and notes that its oxygen-containing structure supports chelation with positively charged metal ions, including calcium, magnesium, iron and aluminum.
In practical terms, chelation can keep certain metal ions dispersed or soluble instead of allowing them to participate in unwanted precipitation or deposit formation.
That is why sodium glucoheptonate is useful in formulations where hard-water ions, metal contamination, scale formation or metal surfaces can interfere with the performance of other ingredients.
Why Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Useful in Alkaline Systems?
Sodium glucoheptonate is particularly relevant to alkaline formulations because it can continue functioning as a metal-binding agent under conditions where calcium, magnesium and other metal ions may otherwise contribute to deposits or interfere with cleaning chemistry.
This makes it relevant to formulations such as:
- Alkaline industrial cleaners
- Metal cleaning solutions
- Paint stripping formulations
- Surface-treatment chemicals
- Water-treatment formulations
- High-pH detergent systems
Commercial technical references describe sodium glucoheptonate as useful for metal cleaning, paint stripping and aluminum etching, while Connect Chemicals lists applications including alkaline cleaning, de-rusting and paint stripping.
The practical benefit is that a chelating agent can help control metal ions while the main alkaline components perform their cleaning or processing functions.
How Does Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate Help in Industrial Cleaning?
In industrial cleaning, sodium glucoheptonate can function as a chelating and sequestrating component that helps manage metal ions present in the cleaning system.
This is particularly useful when cleaning involves:
- Rust or metal oxide deposits
- Hard-water residues
- Calcium or magnesium contamination
- Metal processing equipment
- Aluminum surfaces
- Highly alkaline cleaning solutions
Sodium glucoheptonate is commercially documented for metal cleaning, paint stripping and aluminum etching.
A typical formulation may contain sodium hydroxide or other alkaline builders together with surfactants, dispersants and a chelating agent. Sodium glucoheptonate can help control metal ions released during the cleaning process.
For formulators, this means it should not be viewed simply as a “detergent.” Its role is more specifically related to metal-ion control and formulation support.
Can Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate Be Used for Metal Surface Treatment?
Yes. Sodium glucoheptonate has established applications in metal-related processing, including metal cleaning, de-rusting, paint stripping and aluminum treatment.
Its water solubility and metal-binding functionality make it useful where a formulation needs to interact with metal surfaces while controlling dissolved or released metal ions.
Thermo Fisher, for example, lists sodium glucoheptonate for metal cleaning, mercerizing, paint stripping and aluminum etching.
The exact formulation depends on the metal, operating temperature, pH, contact time and other chemicals present. Aluminum and zinc should receive particular attention because highly alkaline systems themselves can affect sensitive metals.
Therefore, industrial users should validate the complete formulation on the actual substrate rather than selecting a chelating agent based only on its nominal metal-binding capacity.
Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate Used in Water Treatment?
Yes. Sodium glucoheptonate can be used in water-treatment formulations where controlling multivalent metal ions is important.
Calcium and magnesium are particularly relevant because they contribute to water hardness and can participate in precipitation and scale formation. Iron and other metal ions can also create deposits, discoloration or formulation instability.
By complexing metal ions, sodium glucoheptonate can help keep them under control in aqueous systems.
Potential applications include:
- Industrial water treatment
- Hard-water control
- Scale-control formulations
- Metal-ion sequestration
- Boiler and process-water formulations
- Industrial cleaning wastewater systems
The specific dosage should be determined from the water chemistry, hardness, target metal concentration, pH and operating temperature rather than from a universal dosage recommendation.
Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate an EDTA Alternative?
Sodium glucoheptonate can be considered as an alternative chelating/sequestering agent to EDTA in selected formulations, but the two materials should not be treated as chemically interchangeable.
EDTA is a strong aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent with a well-established coordination chemistry. Sodium glucoheptonate belongs to a different chemical family and uses hydroxyl/carboxylate functionality for metal-ion complexation.
The appropriate choice depends on:
- Target metal ions
- Required chelation strength
- Formulation pH
- Temperature
- Water hardness
- Biodegradability requirements
- Regulatory requirements
- Cost-in-use
- Compatibility with other formulation ingredients
Therefore, “EDTA alternative” is best understood as a formulation-selection concept, not a statement that sodium glucoheptonate provides exactly the same performance under every condition.
For formulators developing high-alkaline cleaners or water-treatment products, laboratory comparison under actual operating conditions is the most reliable way to determine whether it can replace or partially replace EDTA.
What Are the Main Industrial Applications of Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate can be considered for several industrial applications because its principal functionality is metal-ion complexation in aqueous systems.
1. Industrial Cleaning
It can support alkaline cleaning formulations by controlling calcium, magnesium and metal ions released during cleaning.
2. Metal Surface Treatment
It is used in applications involving metal cleaning, rust removal, paint stripping and aluminum treatment.
3. Water Treatment
Its ability to complex multivalent ions makes it relevant to water-treatment and scale-control formulations.
4. Concrete and Construction Chemicals
Sodium glucoheptonate is also used in certain construction-chemical applications, where control of metal ions and cement chemistry can be important.
5. Textile Processing
Commercial chemical references also identify sodium glucoheptonate in textile-related processes such as mercerization. Thermo Fisher specifically notes applications involving cotton, linen, hemp and other plant-based fibers.
The suitable grade and dosage depend on the intended application, formulation requirements and applicable regulatory specifications.
What Does Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate Look Like?
Commercial sodium glucoheptonate dihydrate is supplied as a solid, generally in powder or crystalline form. TCI describes its material as white to light-yellow powder or crystalline material and reports that it is soluble in water.
Typical procurement information that buyers should check includes:
| Parameter | Typical Information |
|---|---|
| Product name | Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate |
| Chemical family | Hydroxycarboxylic acid sodium salt |
| CAS No. | 31138-65-5 |
| Hydrated formula | C₇H₁₃NaO₈·2H₂O |
| Molecular weight, hydrated | Approx. 284.19 g/mol |
| Molecular weight, anhydrous basis | Approx. 248.16 g/mol |
| Physical form | Powder / crystalline solid |
| Color | White to light yellow |
| Water solubility | Soluble / freely soluble |
| Typical industrial function | Chelating / sequestering agent |
| Main application areas | Cleaning, metal treatment, water treatment, industrial formulations |
Commercial specifications can differ by grade, so this table should be treated as a procurement reference rather than a universal specification. TCI, for example, specifies >98% purity and 11–14% water for its laboratory-grade dihydrate.
What Should Buyers Check When Sourcing Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
For B2B procurement, purity alone is not enough. Buyers should confirm the hydration form, assay basis, water content and application suitability.
Key points include:
1. Product form
Confirm that the supplier is offering sodium glucoheptonate dihydrate, rather than a liquid 50% solution or another concentration.
2. Assay
Ask whether the stated purity is calculated on an anhydrous basis or as supplied.
3. Water content
For a dihydrate, water content is an important quality-control parameter.
4. CAS number and chemical identity
Confirm CAS 31138-65-5 together with the product’s exact chemical description and formula.
5. Solubility
Confirm dissolution behavior under the intended formulation conditions.
6. Application performance
For industrial cleaning or water treatment, request application-specific technical data rather than relying only on a generic specification sheet.
7. COA and TDS
For commercial shipments, buyers should review the current Certificate of Analysis and Technical Data Sheet for the actual production lot.
What Is the Difference Between Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate and 50% Sodium Glucoheptonate?
The main difference is physical form and concentration.
Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate is supplied as a solid crystalline/powder material containing water of crystallization. A 50% sodium glucoheptonate product is supplied as an aqueous liquid containing approximately 50% active material.
For example, WaycooChem’s 50% product is described as a red-brown liquid with approximately 50% total solids and is positioned for water treatment, cleaning and metal-treatment applications.
For bulk buyers, the choice often depends on manufacturing process and logistics:
| Factor | Dihydrate | 50% Liquid |
|---|---|---|
| Physical form | Solid | Liquid |
| Handling | Dry-solid handling | Liquid handling |
| Water already present | Crystalline water | Large amount of free water |
| Storage volume per active kg | Lower | Higher |
| Typical use | Formulation requiring solid raw material | Direct liquid formulation |
| Transport consideration | Higher active concentration | More water transported |
The best form depends on whether the customer’s production line is designed for powder addition or liquid dosing.
Why Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate Interesting for High-Alkaline Formulations?
Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate is particularly interesting when a formulation needs both water solubility and metal-ion control in an alkaline environment.
This combination explains its relevance to industrial cleaners, metal treatment and certain water-treatment systems.
Instead of functioning as the primary alkaline builder, sodium glucoheptonate generally plays a supporting role: it helps manage metal ions while other components provide alkalinity, surfactancy, wetting, dispersion or cleaning power.
That distinction is important when designing a formulation. The material should be evaluated according to its specific technical role rather than simply added as a generic detergent ingredient.
What Should Industrial Buyers Ask a Sodium Glucoheptonate Supplier?
Before placing a bulk order, buyers should ask the supplier:
- Is the product Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
- What is the stated purity and assay basis?
- What is the water-content specification?
- What is the CAS number?
- Is the product supplied as powder or crystalline material?
- What is the standard packaging?
- Is a current COA available?
- Is an SDS and TDS available?
- What is the minimum order quantity?
- What is the production lead time?
- Can the supplier provide application data for alkaline cleaning or water treatment?
- Can the supplier support a sample before bulk procurement?
For industrial buyers, the supplier’s ability to provide consistent lot quality can be as important as the nominal purity.
What Is the Main Advantage of Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
The main technical advantage of Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate is its combination of water solubility and metal-ion complexing capability.
Its structure contains multiple oxygen-containing functional groups that can interact with multivalent metal ions. This makes it useful in applications where calcium, magnesium, iron or other metal ions need to be controlled.
For formulators, its most relevant application areas include alkaline industrial cleaning, metal surface treatment, water treatment and other aqueous formulations requiring sequestration of metal ions.
For buyers considering a high-purity solid grade, WaycooChem’s Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate 99% is positioned for bulk industrial procurement and formulation development.
FAQ: Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate
What is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate used for?
It is mainly used as a water-soluble chelating and sequestering agent in industrial cleaning, metal treatment, water treatment and related formulations.
What is the formula of Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
The hydrated form is commonly represented as C₇H₁₃NaO₈·2H₂O, with a calculated molecular weight of approximately 284.19 g/mol.
Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate water soluble?
Yes. Commercial specifications describe sodium glucoheptonate as soluble or freely soluble in water, making it suitable for aqueous industrial formulations.
Is Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate an EDTA replacement?
It can be evaluated as an EDTA alternative in selected formulations, particularly where metal-ion sequestration in aqueous or alkaline systems is required. However, the two chelating agents have different chemistry and should be compared under the actual formulation conditions.
What is the CAS number of Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate?
Commercial suppliers commonly identify Sodium Glucoheptonate Dihydrate with CAS 31138-65-5. TCI specifically lists CAS 31138-65-5 for its dihydrate product.
