Monobasic metal nitrilotriacetate hydrated salts, MH[N(CH2COO)(3)]xH(2)O, have been prepared by the reaction of nitrilotriacetic acid with metal carbonate. DTA studies of these salts both in N-2 and air reveal that these salts initially undergo dehydration and then, through acetate intermediates, decompose to oxycarbonates or oxides.