| abstract |
(57) [Summary] (Modified) [Constitution] A polycarboxylic acid represented by the general formula (I) or a salt thereof. (A) n G (I) [wherein G is Of all the OH in the group remaining after removal of H, n is the total number of OH, M is H, a group such as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, and A is a G group to which the removed H binds. A group that is bonded to an oxygen atom R 1 is H or a group such as —COOM or —CH 2 COOM, R 2 is a group such as an alkylene group, and p is a number of 1 or 0. [Effect] It is excellent in water solubility, biodegradability, and dispersibility, and is useful as an unprecedented epoch-making chelating agent. |