Description

Thioglycolic acid
Thioglycolic acid (TGA) was first developed in the early 1940s as an active material for cold wave permanents and depilatories. TGA soon found another major use as a key raw material in the manufacture of organotin stabilizers for PVC. Other applications in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, leather processing and oil field chemicals industries soon followed. TGA continues to be used in cosmetics, especially for depilatories and hair straightening. TGA can also be used as a water-soluble chain transfer agent for certain acrylic polymers. In the oil field sector, its anti-corrosive properties are particularly useful in down-hole applications.

TGA esters
The esters of TGA, including 2-ethyl hexyl mercaptoacetate (2EHMA – 2EHTG) and isooctyl (IOTG) mercaptoacetate (IOMA), are key raw materials because they are able to react as regular mercaptans, remain stable for longer lengths of time and provide a useful route to heterocylic compounds. 2EHMA and IOMA are also key intermediates in the manufacture of tin stabilizers for PVC.

Properties

TGA's unique properties make it an ideal candidate for a wide variety of chemical reactions including addition, elimination, or cyclization reactions. TGA's sulfur group will react in the presence of bases, acids, ketone groups or organic halogens. In the presence of alcohols or amines, the carboxylic group will react preferentially.

Markets and applications

Thioglycolic Acid & Esters are used in a wide variety of applications:

Production Facilities

As a leading producer of TGA and its esters, both in the United States and Europe, Arkema is ready to be your global supplier.