Sodium glucoheptylate has a good complexing effect on a series of metal ions, such as Ca³⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, etc. Especially for Fe³⁺, the complexing value is higher. Generally, the complexing agent such as EDTA is one molecule complexing one metal ion, while sodium glucoheptylate can complexe 15 Fe³⁺ions under appropriate conditions. It is expected to replace many non-environment-friendly heavy metal collectors that are widely used today, such as EDTA, DTPA and ATMP.