Sodium thioglycolate

Synonym(s):Mercaptoacetic acid sodium salt;Sodium thioglycolate;Sodium thioglycollate;Thioglycolic acid sodium salt

CAS NO.：367-51-1
Empirical Formula: C2H5NaO2S
Molecular Weight: 116.11
MDL number: MFCD00043386
EINECS: 206-696-4
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
Update Date: 2025-08-28 17:34:51

What is Sodium thioglycolate?

Chemical properties

White solid

The Uses of Sodium thioglycolate

Sodium thioglycolate has been used:

as a growth supplement in enrichment media and to study its effect on Arcobacter
in influenza hemagglutinin formulation in order to reduce disulfide-mediated cross-linking and early potency loss
in electron microscopy

The Uses of Sodium thioglycolate

dipilatory, irritant, chelating agent

The Uses of Sodium thioglycolate

In cold-waving of hair; as depilatory; in bacteriology for the preparation of thioglycolate media; as analytical reagent, see Thioglycolic Acid.

What are the applications of Application

Sodium thioglycolate is a disulfide reducing agent

Definition

The sodium salt of thioglycolic acid.

General Description

White powder with a slight odor. Used in cold-waving of hair and as a dipilatory.

Air & Water Reactions

Hygroscopic. Discolors on exposure to air. Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Sodium thioglycolate is hygroscopic and sensitive to air. Discolors if exposed to iron . May generate flammable and toxic hydrogen sulfide with strong reducing agents.

Hazard

Yields toxic hydrogen sulfide on decompo- sition, may be toxic by skin absorption.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for Sodium thioglycolate are not available. Sodium thioglycolate is probably combustible.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Biochem/physiol Actions

Sodium thioglycolate is a commonly used reagent for bacteriological research to maintain reducing conditions in media. Thioglycolate can also protect enzymes against inactivation by maintaining protein thiol groups in the reduced state. Thioglycolate medium is frequently used in inflammation research to elicit a neutrophil and macrophage response in vivo.

Safety Profile

Poison by intravenous and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion. A human skin irritant. This material yields hydrogen sulfide on decomposition. A death has been attributed to the absorption of toxic decomposition products from the use of this material in a hair permanent-waving solution. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of SOx and Na2O. See also SULFIDES and MERCAPTANS.

Purification Methods

It crystallises from 60% EtOH (charcoal). It is hygroscopic.[Beilstein 3 IV 600.]

Properties of Sodium thioglycolate

Melting point:	>300 °C (lit.)
vapor pressure	<0.1 hPa (25 °C)
storage temp.	-20°C
solubility	609.1g/l
form	solid
pka	3.82[at 20 ℃]
color	White powder
Odor	Stench odour
PH Range	6.5 - 8 at 114 g/l at 25 °C
PH	6.7 (100g/l, H2O, 20℃)
Water Solubility	soluble
Sensitive	Air Sensitive & Hygroscopic
Merck	14,8692
BRN	4569109
Exposure limits	ACGIH: TWA 1 ppm (Skin)
CAS DataBase Reference	367-51-1(CAS DataBase Reference)
EPA Substance Registry System	Sodium thioglycolate (367-51-1)

Safety information for Sodium thioglycolate

Signal word	Danger
Pictogram(s)	Corrosion Corrosives GHS05 Skull and Crossbones Acute Toxicity GHS06
GHS Hazard Statements	H290:Corrosive to Metals H301:Acute toxicity,oral H312:Acute toxicity,dermal H317:Sensitisation, Skin
Precautionary Statement Codes	P234:Keep only in original container. P261:Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P264:Wash hands thoroughly after handling. P264:Wash skin thouroughly after handling. P280:Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P301+P310:IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.