2-Mercaptopropionic acid

2-Mercaptopropionic acid (CAS 79-42-5) is a sulphur-containing organic acid commercially known as thiolactic acid and listed under FEMA numbers 3180 and 3810. It carries a free thiol group on the propionic acid backbone, giving it both acidic and reducing character. No E-code designation applies to this substance.

In cosmetics and personal care, thiolactic acid functions as a reducing agent in depilatory and hair-waving formulations, cleaving disulphide bonds in keratin to restructure or dissolve hair fibres. In pharmaceutical synthesis and leather processing, it serves as a pH-regulating intermediate and tanning auxiliary, where its thiol reactivity drives crosslinking or chelation reactions under controlled acidic conditions.

This material is supplied as a liquid grade compliant with REACH registration requirements and is available in standard drum and IBC packaging suitable for industrial procurement. Buyers should confirm purity specifications against relevant pharmacopoeial or technical-grade standards prior to formulation use.