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The synthesis of tetrapotassium iminodisuccinate involves a multi-step reaction sequence.
Step 1: The reaction of maleic anhydride with potassium hydroxide (KOH) likely generates potassium maleate, a salt formed by the neutralization of maleic acid with KOH.
Step 2: The addition of ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) introduces a source of ammonia (NH3) into the reaction mixture. Ammonia can react with the potassium maleate to form the iminodiacetate anion, a key intermediate.
Step 3: Heating the mixture at 110°C facilitates cyclization, likely leading to the formation of the tetrapotassium iminodisuccinate ring structure. The high temperature promotes the necessary rearrangements and bond formation.