This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.