Sodium laureth sulfate

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Not to be confused with Sodium lauryl sulfate. For the Loud Family song, see Interbabe Concern.
Sodium laureth sulfate
Names
IUPAC name
α-Sulfo-ω-(dodecyloxy)-poly(oxyethane-1,2-diyl), sodium salt
Other names
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate
Sodium laureth sulphate
Sodium dodecyl polyoxyethylene sulfate
Sodium lauryl polyoxyethylene sulfate
Sodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate
Sodium lauryl dioxyethylene sulfate
Sodium lauryl trioxyethylene sulfate
Sodium laureth-2 sulfate
Sodium laureth-3 sulfate
Identifiers
Abbreviations SLES
ChemSpider
  • sodium laureth-2 sulfate: none
ECHA InfoCard 100.036.281 Edit this at Wikidata
  • 23665884 (sodium 2-dodecoxyethyl sulfate)
UNII
Properties
CH3(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na
Molar mass Variable; typically around 421 g/mol
(288.38 + 44.05n) g/mol
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
1
0
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), an accepted contraction of sodium lauryl ether sulfate, also called sodium alkylethersulfate, is an anionic detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.) and for industrial uses. SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent.[1] SLES, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), and sodium pareth sulfate are surfactants that are used in many cosmetic products for their cleaning and emulsifying properties. It is derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. In herbicides, it is used as a surfactant to improve absorption of the herbicidal chemicals[2] and reduces time the product takes to be rainfast, when enough of the herbicidal agent will be absorbed.

The chemical formula for this family of surfactants is CH3(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na. Sometimes the number represented by n is specified in the name, for example laureth-2 sulfate. The product is however heterogeneous in that the number of ethoxyl groups, where n is the mean. Laureth-3 sulfate is the most common one in commercial products. Compared to the parent sodium lauryl sulfate (CH3(CH2)11OSO3Na), SLES is more surface-active owing to the presence of the ethoxy groups.[3]

Production

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SLES is prepared by ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol, which is produced industrially from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. The resulting ethoxylate is converted to a half ester of sulfuric acid, which is neutralized by conversion to the sodium salt.[1] The related surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS) is produced similarly, but without the ethoxylation step. SLS and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.[1]

Environmental impacts

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SLES is toxic to aquatic animals.[4][5] Low concentrations can cause severe effects and even death in fish.[6]

Safety

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SLS does not induce any "adverse responses in any toxicol. testing". SLS is a skin and eye irritant but not a sensitizer.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Kurt Kosswig,"Surfactants" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, 2005, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_747
  2. ^ "Safety Data Sheet Bayer FINALE Herbicide". Bayer Environmental Sciences UK. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  3. ^ Dahanayake M, Cohen AW, Rosen MJ (1986). "Relationship of Structure to Properties of Surfactants. 13. Surface and Thermodynamic Properties of Some Oxyethylenated Sulfates and Sulfonates". The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 90 (11): 2413–2418. doi:10.1021/j100402a032.
  4. ^ Inala, E. R., & Ikpesu, T. O. (2021). "Subacute Effects of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate on Oxidative Enzymes and Liver Responses in Clarias gariepinus: Dose and Time-Dependent Effects". Communication in Physical Sciences. 4.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Bhattacharya, R., Chatterjee, A., Chatterjee, S., & Saha, N. C. (2021). "Acute toxicity and sublethal effects of sodium laureth sulfate on oxidative stress enzymes in benthic oligochaete worm, Tubifex tubifex". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology. 243 108998. doi:10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.108998. PMID 33556537.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Caracciolo, A. B., Cardoni, M., Pescatore, T., & Patrolecco, L. (2017). "Characteristics and environmental fate of the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) used as the main component in foaming agents for mechanized tunnelling". Environmental Pollution. 226: 94–103. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.008. PMID 28411499.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Robinson VC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Marks JG, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Andersen FA (2010). "Final Report of the Amended Safety Assessment of Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Related Salts of Sulfated Ethoxylated Alcohols". International Journal of Toxicology. 29 (4_suppl): 151S – 161S. doi:10.1177/1091581810373151. PMID 20634505.
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