Thioglycolic acid
CAS 68-11-1
EC 200-677-4
Formula C2H4O2S
MW 92.12 g/mol
Organic Acids Personal Care & CosmeticsPharmaceuticals & HealthcareTextile, Leather & PaperPlastics & Polymers Antioxidant & StabilizerCatalysisPreservation & Biocide
Description
Thioglycolic acid (TGA, CAS 68-11-1) is a sulfur-containing organic acid also known as thiovanic acid or 2-mercaptoacetic acid. It carries no assigned E-code and is classified under HS code 29309070. The compound is commercially available from European suppliers for industrial and specialty chemical applications.
In permanent wave formulations and depilatory creams, TGA breaks disulfide bonds in keratin by acting as a reducing agent, restructuring hair or dissolving protein fibers. In PVC stabilization, it functions as a co-stabilizer by scavenging hydrogen chloride released during thermal processing, slowing polymer degradation. Pharmaceutical manufacturers also use it as an antioxidant intermediate in synthesis.
TGA is supplied in technical and high-purity grades, with concentrations typically ranging from 70% to 99%. It falls under REACH regulation and requires an SDS compliant with EU GHS standards. Packaging is available in drums and IBC containers, with documentation supporting pharmaceutical and cosmetic supply chain requirements.
In permanent wave formulations and depilatory creams, TGA breaks disulfide bonds in keratin by acting as a reducing agent, restructuring hair or dissolving protein fibers. In PVC stabilization, it functions as a co-stabilizer by scavenging hydrogen chloride released during thermal processing, slowing polymer degradation. Pharmaceutical manufacturers also use it as an antioxidant intermediate in synthesis.
TGA is supplied in technical and high-purity grades, with concentrations typically ranging from 70% to 99%. It falls under REACH regulation and requires an SDS compliant with EU GHS standards. Packaging is available in drums and IBC containers, with documentation supporting pharmaceutical and cosmetic supply chain requirements.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -16.5 °C |
| Boiling Point | 120 °C @ Press: 20 Torr |
| Density | 1.3253 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 126 °C |
| Appearance | Thioglycolic acid is a colorless liquid with a strong unpleasant odor like rotten eggs. |
| Color | clear clear, colorless |
| Odor | strong unpleasant odor |
| Form | Liquid |
| Water Solubility | soluble |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.4 mm Hg ( 25 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.505(lit.) |
| pH | 1 (H2O, 20℃) |
| Log P | 0.090 |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Danger GHS05 GHS06 GHS07 GHS08
H
H301H311H312H314H317H318H330H331H332H370H373H402H412
P
P260P261P262P264P270P271P272P273P280P284P316P317P319P320P321P330P363P405P501P264+P265P301+P316P302+P352P304+P340P308+P316P333+P317P361+P364P362+P364P403+P233P301+P330+P331P302+P361+P354P305+P354+P338
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29309070 |
| UN Number | 1940 |
| ADR Class | 8 |
| Packing Group | II |
| Storage Class | 6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3 toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Other Names
2-sulfanylacetic acidthiovanic acidacetyl mercaptanTGAThiovanie acidTRIGLYCOLIC ACID2-mercaptoacetate
Related Products
Raw Materials
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