| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid and its derivatives of general formula (I), wherein both R have the same meaning and are selected from H, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, CH 2 OH, SO 3 M, and COOM; and all M have the same meaning and represent hydrogen atom, Na, K or NH 4 ; which comprises reductive amination of glyoxylic acid with a salan compound of general formula (II), in the presence of an amine proton acceptor. The compounds of formula (I) can be used as chelating agents for micronutrients in fertilizer preparations for plants. |