White crystal powder, soluble in sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and ammonia solution, not soluble in cold water, acid and common organic solvents,and discomposed at 240°C.

Mainly applied to complexing metal ions, and separating metal; used as water-treating agents and scale-eliminating agents; capable of preventing the harmful effects on production caused by metal ions in water ; also used in the cleaning the boilers in large-scale power plants.