Sodium p-Toluenesulfonate
Synonyms
Sodium p-Tolyl Sulfonate;
p-Toluenesulfonic acid sodium salt;
4-Methylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt;
Sodium tosylate;
Category
Anionic Surfactant
> Sulfonate
>> Aryl Sulfonate
>>> Phenyl Sulfonate
>>>> Linear Alkylphenyl Sulfonate
Chemical Numbering System
CAS: 657-84-1
EINECS: 211-522-5
Molecular Formula & Molecular Weight
Molecular Formula: C7H7NaO3S; C7H8O3S.Na
Molecular Weight: 194.18
Structure
Properties
Appearance (1), white powder or crystals; (2), liquid.
Solubility soluble in water.
Stability stable.
Risk Solid form: flammable material; irritation, moderate irritation to skin, eye. Harmful products of combustion are CO, CO2 and so on. Contact with strong oxidants, can cause to burn.
GHS label: 
Liquid form: irritation, moderate irritation to skin, eye.
GHS label:
Animal Toxicity
Table 1 Animal toxicity values
|
mouse intravenous LD50 |
1700mg/kg[1] |
Ecology may be hazardous to environment. Water body should be given special attention.
Biodegradability biodegradable.
Characteristics excellent hydrotropic, viscosity reducing, pour point depressing, anti-caking, dispersing, emulsifying abilities.
Synthesis
Currently, sulfonation reaction through continuous reactor (such as: falling film reactor) is the most widely used method for preparing sulfonates.
Generally, p-toluene and sulfur trioxide react through reactor, then sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate neutralizes, finally obtain product.
US patent 8,921,588 (Process for preparing sulfates and/or sulfonates in a micro-reaction system) presents a synthetic process. Conditions: mole ratio of sulfur trioxide and alkyl benzenes or other raw materials: 1:1; temperature: 30-60°C; reactor: falling film reactor.
Quality Standards & Test Methods
1, Physical and chemical indexes
|
Item |
Physical and chemical indexes |
|
|
Liquid |
Solid |
|
|
Actives, %, ≥ |
30.0 - 50.0 |
90.0 |
|
pH (25°C, 1%) |
7.5 - 10.5 |
7.5 - 10.5 |
Test Methods
(1), Actives
GB/T 5173 Surface active agents and detergents -- Determination of anionic-active matter by direct two-phase titration procedure
ISO 2271 Surface active agents -- Detergents -- Determination of anionic-active matter by manual or mechanical direct two-phase titration procedure
(2), pH
GB/T 6368 Surface active agents -- Determination of pH of aqueous solution - Potentiometric method
ISO 4316 Surface active agents -- Determination of pH of aqueous solutions -- Potentiometric method
2, Hazardous substances indexes
|
Item |
Hazardous substances indexes |
|
|
Liquid |
Solid |
|
|
Heavy metals (as Pb), mg/kg, ≤ |
20 |
20 |
|
As, mg/kg, ≤ |
3 |
3 |
Test Methods
(1), Heavy metals (as Pb)
Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition)
GB/T 30799 The test method of food detergents -- Determination of heavy metals
(2), As
Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics (2015 Edition)
GB/T 30797 The test method of food detergents -- Determination of total arsenic
3, Further explanation
(a), On physical and chemical indexes: firstly, shall be indicated carbon atom distribution; secondly, shall be indicated average molecular weight.
(b), Used in cosmetics, should be test for harmful substances; or furtherly test for microorganisms.
Major Uses
1, Typical applications
Use as hydrotrope.
Use as auxilialy emulsifying agent, auxilialy dispersing agent.
2, Household detergents
Use as hydrotrope, anticoagulant, anti-caking agent. For example: washing powder.
3, Industrial cleaning agents
Use as hydrotrope, anticoagulant, anti-caking agent.
4, Personal care products
Use as hydrotrope.
5, Pets
Use as hydrotrope.
Manufacturers
References
[1]: ChemIDplus. 657-84-1, Sodium p-tolyl sulfonate
Update: 20131025(1); 20170310(2);