Thioglycolic acid

Thioglycolic acid (CAS 68-11-1), also known as mercaptoacetic acid and commonly abbreviated as TGA, is an organosulfur acid used across industrial and consumer-facing manufacturing. It functions primarily as a reducing agent, stabilizer, and chemical intermediate in processes requiring controlled thiol reactivity. In personal care, TGA is the active ingredient in permanent wave solutions.

It is used in depilatory creams, where it breaks disulfide bonds in keratin to reshape or dissolve hair. PVC stabilizer production relies on TGA as a key building block for tin and lead mercaptide heat stabilizers. These stabilizers prevent polymer degradation during processing. Leather processing uses TGA to assist in depilation and hide preparation, reducing reliance on sulfide-based alternatives in the tanning industry.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it serves as an intermediate in the synthesis of active compounds. It also acts as a reagent in analytical testing for metal ion detection and laboratory research applications. Thioglycolic acid is supplied as a colorless to pale yellow liquid, typically at concentrations of 70%, 80%, and 99%+ for technical and high-purity grades. This ensures versatility for various industrial needs.

Pharmaceutical-grade material is available to USP and BP specifications for regulated manufacturing environments. This high level of purity is essential for sensitive chemical synthesis. Technical-grade material is the standard for polymer stabilizer production and industrial leather processing. We provide consistent quality across all grades to meet specific manufacturing requirements.