Chemistry:Sodium alkyl sulfate
Sodium alkyl sulfates (SAS) are water-soluble salts that act as detergents or wetting agents.
Properties
Sodium alkyl sulfate are members of alkyl sulfates. They are mixture of different alkyls as the term implies, e.g. sodium lauryl sulfate. They are colorless or white powders or viscos liquids, which smell of detergent. Some samples appear yellowish. They are water-soluble and can form soap bubbles. The chemical formula is CnH2n+1OSO2ONa. The CAS Number is 68955-19-1.[1] SAS decomposes with boiling, hydrolyzing at 50 degree C.
Use
Sodium alkyl sulfates can be used in detergents, dish washing liquids, shower gels, shampoos, hair conditioners and fabric softeners.[2] SAS can be used as fire extinguishing agent, because it is not flammable.[1] In the cosmetic industry it is used as an emulsifier to mix oily and water-soluble compounds for toothpaste or moisturising products.[2]
Hazards
Health
SAS can produce irritating vapors when heated, consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and others. As with all detergents it can irritate skin and eyes. If swallowed, it will cause nausea or vomiting with an LD50 of 0.5 to 5 g/kg.[1]
Ecosystems
SAS is toxic for freshwater fish with an aquatic toxicity of 6-7 ppm/fish/min. It does not concentrate in the food chain.[1] Branched alkenes are resistant to degradation by bacteria and hence linear alkyl sulfonates are used in detergents.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "SODIUM ALKYL SULFATES". CAMEO Chemicals, version 2.5 rev 1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. n.d.. https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/9053. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Surfactants". The Essential Chemical Industry - online. CIEC Promoting Science at the University of York, York, UK. 18 March 2013. http://essentialchemicalindustry.org/materials-and-applications/surfactants.html. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
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