Tert-dodecylmercaptan

Tert-dodecylmercaptan (CAS 25103-58-6), also known as tert-dodecanethiol and commonly abbreviated as TDM, is a branched-chain aliphatic thiol used primarily as a chain transfer agent in free-radical polymerization. Its ability to control molecular weight during polymer synthesis makes it a critical process chemical across rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturing. TDM is most extensively used in the production of synthetic rubber.

It is particularly vital for styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), where it regulates polymer chain length to achieve target mechanical properties. This ensures consistency in industrial manufacturing. In emulsion polymerization for latex coatings and adhesives, it controls viscosity and film-forming characteristics of the final product. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use TDM as a reagent and intermediate in synthesis processes.

These processes often require controlled thiol reactivity for precise chemical outcomes. At trace concentrations, it also functions as a flavoring agent in food applications, where sulfur-containing compounds contribute to savory profiles. Tert-dodecylmercaptan is supplied as a liquid, typically in drum and IBC quantities suited to industrial-scale polymerization operations. Technical grade is the standard commercial offering for most industrial buyers.

High-purity grades are available for pharmaceutical and specialty applications. Specifications vary by supplier, and buyers should confirm purity thresholds and chain-length distribution profiles when sourcing for polymer-grade use.