Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate: Properties, Uses, Structure, and Safety

What is Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate?

Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate shows up in laboratories, production lines, and even kitchens. With a chemical formula of Na₃C₆H₅O₇·2H₂O, this compound features three sodium atoms linked to citric acid and two water molecules. The structure, displaying clear and stable crystalline geometry, highlights why it dissolves easily in water but keeps dry in air-tight conditions. People often encounter it as a fine white powder, solid flakes, small pearls, or even as a liquid solution, reflecting the flexibility of its physical form.

Molecular and Physical Properties

At its core, the molecular weight clocks in at about 294.1 g/mol. With a density of roughly 1.7g/cm³ in solid state, this chemical blends into solutions without clumping. As a solid or crystal, it shows no strong odor and does not react quickly with air or mild acids. So, it sits comfortably in warehouses and labs without needing special storage, though keeping away from moisture helps maintain its original structure. In my chemistry days, seeing Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate handle shifts in humidity without major caking always stood out. Most suppliers list HS Code 29181500 for this product when moving materials across borders, ensuring that users and transporters can track compliance through every checkpoint.

Common Forms: Powder, Flakes, Pearls, Crystal, Liquid

You can run your fingers through its fine powder, toss a handful of flakes into a solution, or watch pearls dissolve in water during industrial cleaning or food processing. The crystal form glimmers under laboratory lights, catching moisture only if exposed directly to the air. Liquid trisodium citrate solutions find their way into medical settings and food industries, where the precision of concentration by volume, measured in liters, matters for safety and effectiveness. Operators appreciate the reliability of these forms, since every granule or drop shows consistent behavior batch after batch. In the lab, switching between solid and liquid forms saved shelf space and made recipes for buffer solutions quick, since measuring by weight or mixing by volume both lead to dependable outcomes.

Specifications and Technical Data

Purity levels can stretch above 99%, and clarity in specification sheets remains essential for anyone dealing with raw materials. Labs and plants prefer knowing the exact water content—dihydrate means two water molecules per formula unit—since drying out even small lots can change concentration rates in a solution. Melting points rest near 150°C, while the pH of a 5% solution lands close to 7.5 to 9.0, neutral to mildly alkaline. Not all chemicals bring such stability, so users trust the data and apply the specs with confidence. Sometimes, a little extra detail about possible trace metals or residual citric acid content can make the difference in pharmaceutical or food applications.

Roles and Importance Across Industries

In my experience, handling Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate starts with the food industry. As an acidity regulator or emulsifier, it keeps creams from splitting and cheeses from melting unevenly. In beverages, this compound masks off-flavors and keeps taste profiles bright. Industrial workers rely on it in detergents and cleaners for its water-softening promise. Medical professionals mix it into solutions that stabilize blood samples by binding calcium, protecting delicate tubes of plasma on their way to the lab. Environmental engineers sometimes add it to treat metals in water, reducing hazardous build-up by chelation. No matter the application, the consistency of each batch and the trust in safety sheets mean that workers, researchers, and consumers can use it without fear of unexpected surprises.

Safety, Hazardous Nature, and Handling

Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate presents a low hazard profile when handled with basic safety steps. Workers use gloves and dust masks only to avoid minor irritation, since direct eye or prolonged skin contact with powder might cause mild redness or discomfort. Ingestion at industrial concentrations doesn’t lead to acute toxicity, but respecting safety guidelines ensures peace of mind. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) don’t call for strict containment, yet they mention good ventilation and routine hygiene—so washing hands and storing well-sealed containers on dry shelves keeps risks to a minimum. Past incidents in large storage rooms usually involved spilling rather than genuine danger, as long as basic protocols hold. Disposal generally follows non-hazardous waste procedures under most local codes, and shipping classifications confirm its stable reputation in chemical logistics.

Raw Materials, Sourcing, and Value Chain

The production cycle depends on access to citric acid and sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide—raw materials available in volume around the world. Sourcing reflects the global supply chain: factories in Europe, Asia, and the Americas deliver bulk powder, pearl, or crystal forms in drums or bags. Material purity and uniform crystal size matter more for food and pharmaceutical suppliers, since regulators and users demand quality above price. Logistics teams value the low hazard status, since they can ship without extra containment, while buyers keep one eye on HS Code requirements for cross-border sales. Experienced buyers check COA (Certificate of Analysis) sheets and batch numbers because these details help avoid costly recalls or mix-ups in material identity down the line. Trust between supplier and buyer grows from this traceability, supporting long-term safety and consistent product performance at every link in the supply chain.

Looking Ahead: Solutions and Responsible Use

Key solutions for producers and users center on education, transparency in supply chains, and quality control in every shipment. Producers can publish clear technical data, share batch testing results, and offer practical advice tailored to each application. Training employees on personal safety, spill management, and routine storage practices goes a long way toward lowering risks and preventing resource waste. Industries can collaborate on recycling initiatives or secondary uses for spent material, cutting down environmental impact. As I’ve seen in multi-discipline teams, regular updates in safety guidelines and improved logistics have helped companies sidestep problems before they start. Users along the chain—from large-scale manufacturers to food technologists—benefit by understanding the full profile of Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate and keeping communication open with everyone involved in sourcing, handling, and application.