Industrial Synthesis of EDTA

Today EDTA is synthesized on an industrial scale from ethylenediamine,

formaldehyde, and a source of cyanide such as HCN or NaCN. The sodium
salt of EDTA forms first in both processes given below and then can be
converted to the acid form.
Method 1: Single-step synthesis
Salt of EDTA product is contaminated with the salt of NTA
(nitrilotriacetic acid, another common chelator). This is the major
method used commercially.

Most of the ammonia (NH3) volatilizes and is recovered; however, some

ammonia reacts with the reactants in the reaction above to produce the
salt of NTA as a contaminant. NTA is another good metal chelator that is
used in detergents.

On acidification, the insoluble EDTA forms while the salt of the NTA
remains in solution.
Conversion of salt to acid form is done with hydrochloric or sulfuric acids.

Method 2: Two-step Singer synthesis

This method allows for the production of a very pure form of the salt of
EDTA.

Can you see an advantage and disadvantage of the single-step synthesis

compared to the two-step Singer synthesis?