Most people who work with advanced chemical materials have stumbled onto ATBS’s story, which kicked off in the labs during the late 1970s when researchers wanted something tough for water treatment and oil recovery. ATBS didn’t simply land on shelves overnight. It came from years of molecular tweaking and batch failures before it fit the bill. Commercial production really picked up in the 80s, just as water treatment plants in the U.S. and Europe threw their weight behind it for its stability in challenging environments. Since then, ATBS has shown up not just in large municipal projects but all the way through to the textile and construction industries, reflecting a legacy built over four decades.
2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt, known widely as ATBS sodium, starts with a white-to-light yellowish viscous liquid. People in the trade trust this solution for its remarkable water solubility and resilience in acidic conditions. Manufacturers sell it as a solution for convenience, dodging the pitfalls of powder handling, which tends to make breathing harder and increases spill risk. Most end-users order ATBS sodium solution in drums or totes, ready to blend straight into the production line, saving both time and effort on dilution steps.
The chemical formula, C7H13NNaO4S, hints at the dual punch ATBS packs: a sulfonic acid group for charge, an amide group for polymer formation. In solution, the product is clear to slightly cloudy, pH ranges between 8.0–10.0, customary concentrations hover between 40 and 50 percent. Specific gravity lands between 1.1–1.2, making handling relatively straightforward with the right pumps. Despite being built tough, ATBS sodium solution copes with a range of processing temperatures, staying shelf-stable for months if containers are sealed and shaded from sunlight. This physical resilience is what draws so many businesses that put reliability over cost alone.
Industry-standard ATBS sodium solution meets purity specs north of 98 percent after correcting for water content. Labels list not just batch number and expiry, but also country of origin for regulatory traceability. Product sheets commonly include molecular weight (238.24 g/mol for the sodium salt), and trace impurities such as unreacted monomer, sodium chloride, and residual solvents must remain below 0.5 percent. Compliance with global transportation and labeling codes (UN number 3082, for example) also matters, since North American and Asian customs both scrutinize polymer feedstocks for banned substances. Routine analysis covers pH, solids content, and ultraviolet absorbance to flag off-spec batches before they reach end users.
Manufacturing ATBS sodium solution usually starts with a base-catalyzed sulfonation of acrylamide, then methyl group addition, and finally salt formation by neutralizing with sodium hydroxide. Labs and pilot lines control both the temperature and pH tightly. The whole process generates a lot of heat, so industrial plants run cooling jackets and take pains to vent gases safely. Water forms a key part of the final blend, since working with pure ATBS powder is both hazardous and inconvenient. Equipment needs corrosion-resistant linings since both sulfonates and sodium hydroxide are tough on steel and rubber seals.
What gives ATBS sodium its edge is the range of chemical reactions it handles. The acrylamide group reacts easily in radical polymerization, forming copolymers with acrylamide, acrylic acid, or other functionalized monomers. The sulfonate group throws in an anionic charge, making those polymers exceptionally hydrophilic and resistant to calcium and magnesium ions in hard water. chemists across industries tailor the molecular weight by tweaking initiator levels, producing either short oligomers or long-chain superplasticizers. Sometimes, industrial users graft ATBS sodium directly onto polyvinyl alcohol backbones for extra water retention in construction mixes.
ATBS sodium comes under a pile of different names, depending on country and sector. Textiles suppliers sometimes call it Sodium AMPS. Scientific literature drifts toward 2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid sodium salt. A few global brands market it as Acrylamide Methyl PropaneSulfonate Sodium Salt. CAS number 5165-97-9 serves as a unique identifier worldwide, holding up across regulatory filings, customs paperwork, and research databases. People dealing with international contracts need to cross-check synonyms to avoid procurement mix-ups, since some regions refer to the acid version, not the sodium salt, leading to expensive substitutions.
Safety officers always keep a close eye on ATBS sodium handling. The solution can irritate skin and eyes, which means workers don gloves and goggles and plumb emergency eyewash stations next to handling areas. Spill control focuses on bunding and keeping the liquid out of drains, since sulfonated compounds can skew downstream water treatment. U.S. OSHA and EU REACH guidelines both require full hazard communication—not just for pure product, but for storage tanks and transfer pumps. The risk of inhalation plummets since the product comes as a liquid, but transfer lines and splash-prone valves remain areas to monitor. Regular audits of tank ventilation and secondary containment cut back on costly incidents.
Across industries, the reach of ATBS sodium stretches far and wide. In oil fields, polymer flooding ops count on ATBS-based polymers to boost water viscosity and improve crude sweep efficiency under tough, high-salinity reservoir conditions. Water treatment plants rely on its copolymers to keep sludge from sticking and push dewatering rates higher. Paper mills use ATBS co-polymers to boost paper strength and improve retention during sheet formation, trimming down chemical costs and waste. Textile dyehouses add it to print pastes so that colors stay sharp during wet finishing, and superabsorbent polymer makers blend ATBS to amp up swelling in the final gel. New applications break out nearly every year, from dispersants in pigment grinding to high-performance grouts in tunnel boring projects that need both flowability and strength.
Lab teams keep chasing ways to make ATBS sodium even more useful. R&D lines explore grafting both the acrylamide and sulfonate functions onto biodegradable or biopolymer backbones. There’s ongoing push to tweak the monomer for even higher temperature stability, since oil and geothermal wells have shifted deeper over the past ten years. Analytical chemists study side-products formed during polymerization and hunt ways to keep polymer purity high. In regions where water resources run tight, development focuses on ATBS-based antiscalants, cutting down both downtime and cleaning costs for municipal and industrial systems.
Regulators expect data on ATBS sodium’s impact on both human health and the environment. Acute toxicity for the sodium salt classifies as low, with no significant biomagnification or bioaccumulation reported. Still, labs check that both production and use do not lead to skin sensitization or respiratory irritation. Studies in fish and aquatic invertebrates show minimal risk at concentrations below 10 mg/L, yet wastewater discharge rules demand removal or degradation of copolymer residues. Lifecycle assessments from the past five years suggest that, compared to other polymer building blocks, ATBS sodium offers a lower environmental footprint, mainly because it breaks down more easily and runs through water systems with less impact. Still, any plant discharging large volumes must monitor effluent streams, since overuse in industrial applications could upset treatment systems.
ATBS sodium’s runway looks long. With water scarcity tightening upstream resources worldwide, industries that lean on water-based processing keep investing in ATBS-enhanced polymers, not just for performance but for their ability to handle recycling and reuse. Pressure for greener chemistry is moving R&D into renewable feedstocks and non-toxic catalysts for monomer synthesis. Potential also shows up in lithium battery technology and in agricultural hydrogels that soak up water for longer, which could reshape how people grow crops in drought-prone areas. Close collaboration across sectors—university labs, chemical producers, regulatory agencies—will keep pushing the capabilities and safety profile of ATBS sodium solution, giving both end-users and the public more confidence in its long-term value.
A lot of people have never heard of ATBS, but this clear, salty liquid plays a role in things most folks touch every day. In my own experience working in both labs and factories, chemists and engineers count on compounds like these to solve a lot of sticky problems. ATBS, known for its long name and tongue-twisting formula, punches above its weight when it comes to making products work better, last longer, or simply do what they’re supposed to.
One of the most urgent uses for ATBS is in treating water. Clean water doesn’t happen by accident; it takes dozens of little heroes in the form of specialty chemicals. ATBS helps grab onto and trap particles, making it easier to filter out what we don’t want to drink. Water utilities and swimming pool keepers alike favor it because it supports coagulants that aren’t as harsh as old-school options. It also resists high temperatures and salty environments, which puts it in a league above traditional water treatment ingredients. According to research published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, polymers based on ATBS outperform older acrylamide blends, especially in challenging waters.
ATBS shines in oil recovery. Oilfields often turn to it to adjust the thickness of fluids pumped into the ground. Thicker water means oil comes out more efficiently, and less gets left behind. In the oil patch, I’ve watched crews demand chemicals that stand up to heat, salt, and gritty conditions. ATBS fits the bill and keeps equipment from getting clogged or corroded. Brent crude trades might seem far from everyday life, but the price at your local gas pump links back to smart choices made at oilfields—including the addition of sodium salt solutions like ATBS.
Polymers built using ATBS show up in shampoos, detergents, and lotions. We all want shampoo that lathers nicely, and detergent that rinses out clean. ATBS helps control viscosity, so products pour well and don’t separate on the shelf. I’ve seen claims in the industry that products using this chemistry need less stabilizer—meaning fewer additives on the label and often less irritation for people with sensitive skin. From big cleaning brands to boutique shampoo makers, ATBS finds its way into many bottles across supermarket aisles.
Paper mills mix ATBS into slurries to help ink stick better and paper sheets dry smoother. The construction industry adds it to concrete mixes; it improves workability and helps concrete cure without cracking, especially when the weather gets rough. Textile manufacturers rely on ATBS for dyeing and finishing, ensuring colors stay bright and fabrics resist wear and tear. These day-in, day-out uses show how one ingredient can lift the quality and performance of products that shape our homes and cities.
ATBS is no magic bullet. It pressures suppliers to manage safety and waste. Manufacturing involves acrylamide, which raises health and environmental questions if released uncontrolled. Companies stepping up safety training and adopting stricter waste protocols help lower risks, but regulators and watchdogs need to stay vigilant. Exploring “greener” chemistry, like bio-based alternatives, makes sense for firms hoping to future-proof their supply chains. Customers have started asking what goes into their water, toiletries, and household products, so transparency matters.
People in the chemical and manufacturing industries recognize ATBS sodium salt solution for its distinctive mix of properties. The solution, derived from 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, dissolves well in water and forms a clear, manageable liquid. Because it shows high solubility, it handles a wide range of temperatures and chemical environments without breaking down or losing function. In the lab, I have seen it stay stable and effective even after weeks of exposure to air and heat. This means that plant operators spend less time worrying about product shelf-life and more time on core tasks.
Another key property comes from its strong anionic nature. ATBS sodium salt delivers excellent electrostatic charge, which lets it repel contaminants and prevent fouling in industrial pipes and membranes. In my experience with water treatment projects, switching to ATBS sodium salt cut our cleaning cycles almost in half, saving both water and labor costs. Its low toxicity makes it safer for workers and easier for companies to meet environmental standards, compared to other surfactants and dispersing agents on the market.
Industrial chemists value ATBS sodium salt’s versatility. From manufacturing textiles to drilling fluids in oilfields, this solution delivers reliable results. In the textile business, you get better dye uptake and brighter colors because the solution encourages stronger bonds between fibers and dyes. Textile workers can lower their chemical use and reduce effluent loads, which matters in today’s world where regulations keep getting tougher and companies need to report their environmental impact.
Paper-making plants also find ATBS sodium salt indispensable. By improving retention and drainage, it boosts paper strength and reduces the water needed during processing. This not only lowers operating costs, but also helps conserve resources—a point I’ve seen matter more as companies aim for sustainability certifications to satisfy both regulators and consumers.
Municipal water treatment systems rely on ATBS sodium salt for its ability to disperse particles and prevent scale. Facilities using it report fewer breakdowns in filters, reduced maintenance, and cleaner treated water. I have visited mid-sized cities where switching to this solution kept their systems running longer with fewer hiccups, which directly benefits end users and city budgets alike.
Oil and gas teams favor ATBS sodium salt in enhanced oil recovery, especially where brine and high temperatures make traditional chemicals unreliable. Its structure stands up in harsh fields, so extraction rates increase without frequent chemical replacement. In projects along the Gulf Coast, crews shared that costs came down, and recovery rates ticked up—all thanks to better chemical stability.
While the benefits are clear, cost and supply chain issues still show up as challenges. Some users balk at the price, especially outside major chemical hubs. Logistics partners should work closer with producers to maintain inventory and keep costs from climbing too high. Research teams can keep looking for ways to synthesize the solution faster and cheaper without sacrificing quality. Collaboration across manufacturers, logistics firms, and research labs will help bring this solution’s benefits to even more people and industries.
Working in chemical labs and busy factories has taught me to respect every bottle, drum, or tank that slides through the door, especially when it holds something as reactive as ATBS sodium salt solution. You don’t have to be a scientist to sense that its sharp smell and tendency to irritate skin or eyes means caution is key. Exposure can sneak up, and I’ve witnessed coworkers regret ignoring gloves or goggles for “just a quick task.” That sharp tingle is no joke, and any spill needs immediate, informed attention.
Piling containers just anywhere leads to headaches later. Moisture, heat, or sunlight speeds up degradation and makes unexpected reactions more likely—or brings out odors strong enough to send anyone heading for the exits. I’ve learned from facilities managers and safety teams that a dry, cool, and well-ventilated storage room will save money and nerves. Stacking drums away from acids or oxidizers stops accidents before they start. Anyone who remembers the hiss from a leaky valve knows how easy it can turn from minor nuisance to full-blown emergency.
I’ve seen workers rush out of break rooms, grab half-torn gloves, and jump into transferring solutions. It always backfires. Proper PPE—nitrile gloves, splash goggles, and chemical-resistant aprons—are worth every penny. The discomfort of measured caution beats inflammation, blisters, or a ruined uniform. Washing up matters too. Even after putting away all equipment for the day, that dry itch from missed residue reminds you how easily mistakes follow you home.
Loose lids or faded labels encourage all kinds of confusion—not just spills, but unlawful mixing that leads to dangerous releases. Splashy warning stickers and bold, legible tags alert everyone around, from seasoned technicians to new hires. If you’re using transfer pumps or hoses, double-checking seals and pressure relief valves shows respect for your team’s well-being and for anyone who might step in later. Even folks with the best memory slip up without visual reminders.
More than once, I’ve watched an “it won’t happen here” attitude crumble in the face of a sticky floor or accidental splash. Ready access to eyewash stations and showers turns potentially serious events into stories folks swap over coffee—rather than a headline about workplace injuries. Posting clear emergency numbers, sharing material safety data sheets, and running practice drills gets everyone on the same page.
Rules alone won’t prevent accidents. New employees and old hands alike miss steps if routines get sloppy or fatigue sets in. I’ve seen the difference regular safety meetings and honest, open reporting make. Peer checks—“Hey, did you tighten that cap? Sure you’re good with those gloves?”—keep mistakes from becoming habits. Sharing near-misses teaches far more than any sign on the wall.
Flushing ATBS sodium salt down the drain carries risks for local water and the broader community. Setting up proper disposal contracts and keeping records fosters a sense of accountability. Municipalities and regulatory agencies watch closely; mishandling waste harms reputations fast. The right steps protect both people and the places we call home.
ATBS sodium salt, known for its use as a stabilizer and monomer in water-soluble polymers, shows up in labs everywhere. Most batches, straight out of the drum, land in the range of 20% to 50% by weight. This concentration makes the solution easy to mix for technicians, but not so heavy that it turns into sludge. Watch any technician working with this stuff and you'll notice that manufacturers rarely supply it at concentrations higher than 50%. Go past this mark and you enter sticky, hard-to-handle territory—pump lines clog, storage tanks suffer buildup, and transfer times go up.
The sodium salt of AMPS (ATBS) brings a sharp, acidic scent, which hints at the sulfonic acid group on its backbone. Pour some out and you’ll usually see a clear, light yellow liquid. Sometimes, the solution edges toward a pale amber if storage conditions aren't spotless. That yellow tint has less to do with poor purity and more with mild oxidation or trace iron. Most users don't see this color as a warning sign, just a heads-up that containers should stay well-sealed.
In my own experience, the main concern is reliability. Whether you’re prepping a batch for acrylics or oil recovery, a predictable concentration simplifies things. A typical container lists ATBS sodium salt concentrations between 33% and 40%—right in the middle of that handling sweet spot. These numbers allow for easy calculations during scale-up. Dip a pipette in, and the viscosity stays moderate, not watery or syrupy. You can get a precise pour and avoid splashing or clumping, especially crucial if you’re preparing a big mix.
If you ever question the appearance, give it a quick check under good lighting. Foaming isn't uncommon—sulfonic acid derivatives love to whip up bubbles when agitated. As long as you see no chunky sediment or cloudiness, the solution probably hasn’t picked up moisture or started to degrade. Any noticeable cloudiness could mean product contamination or a temperature drop during storage. Warm the container gently, and if it clears up, the sample is still good for use.
Storing ATBS sodium salt goes beyond basic labeling. I remember a few batches ruined by a forgetful team member who left a drum half-open. Exposure to air triggers oxidation, and if humidity is high, water can throw off your concentrations. Moisture creeps in, the solution loses punch, and a batch that worked last week delivers flat results. Always check the storage space. Keep it cool, dry, and tightly closed, even if you think you’ll use it up in a day or two.
Some buyers ask for third-party data on concentration and clarity. Every supplier has their own process, but the good ones show test results. Look for a certificate from an independent testing group that includes things like pH and color. pH usually falls between 7 and 9, making it gentle enough on the skin but stable enough for most polymerization jobs.
If clarity slips or color shifts too far from that typical light shade, investigate your supply chain and storage practices. Source new stock and compare. Train your staff to watch for subtle signs—sticky residue, foam that doesn’t settle, or unexplained haze. In our own shop, a quick temperature probe and a clear handwritten label kept the process smooth. Good housekeeping beats complicated protocols every time.
ATBS sodium salt solution isn’t mysterious if you treat it with respect. With a sharp eye and consistent handling, each drum arrives ready, balancing the physical properties you need for industrial or research projects.
Sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid—most folks just call it ATBS sodium salt solution—shows up in plenty of places, from water treatment plants to oilfields and the world of textiles. I’ve come across it a couple times working with polymer additives, and it’s a curious chemical. People trust it for its ability to make polymers more absorbent or give concrete a fighting chance against corrosion. But like most industrial chemicals, double-checking the risks makes a lot of sense.
Anyone who's spent time in a factory or lab gets used to handling chemicals with gloves and being careful not to breathe in fumes. ATBS sodium salt solution won’t burn your skin off on contact, but it can still cause irritation. If the liquid splashes on your hands or into your eyes, redness and that unmistakable burning feeling typically follow. Breathing in any mist or dust from this stuff irritates the nose and throat. It reminds me of how nobody thought twice about handling formaldehyde for years—until the health risks caught up with everyone.
Data from material safety sheets shows the solution isn’t outright toxic like some heavy-duty acids or solvents. Long-term exposure hasn’t raised alarms for cancer or chronic illness, but the main risk comes from the immediate impact on skin, eyes and lungs.
Workers pouring or mixing ATBS sodium salt solution don’t just need to think about themselves. Pipes break and tanks leak. What gets into the sewer might run off into rivers or soil. Sodium salts can alter the local environment, increasing water salinity or messing with aquatic life. Wildlife and fish can’t just adapt overnight. Large-scale or repeated spills in factories near water can push delicate ecosystems out of balance. ATBS breaks down slowly in natural conditions. That means even small leaks can add up.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Most companies are already required by law to keep spill kits and eye wash stations handy. From what I’ve seen, training workers on correct handling cuts down on most incidents. Regular maintenance checks on storage tanks and pipes make a real difference—more so than policies on a clipboard. Clearly labeled containers help keep mix-ups at bay.
Outside the plant, local authorities need to stay in the loop. Industries should treat wastewater containing ATBS sodium salt before releasing it. Even a simple dilution step or activated carbon filter makes a difference for fish downstream. Third-party inspections encourage everyone to keep their standards high and their records honest. The public deserves to know what’s moving through their local waterways, and open reporting builds trust.
Plenty of safer alternatives don’t really exist yet for some of the unique properties ATBS brings. Companies do best by minimizing use, recycling process water, and sticking to quantities they genuinely need. I’ve learned that real improvements tend to come from regular people on the shop floor noticing leaks or sharing smart fixes. Taking these hazards seriously, without panic or neglect, keeps both people and places healthy.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | sodium 2-methyl-2-[(prop-2-enamido)sulfonyl]propanoate |
| Other names |
Sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate AMPS Sodium Salt Sodium salt of ATBS 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt Acrylamido methyl propane sulfonic acid sodium salt Sodium AMPS ATBS-Na |
| Pronunciation | /tuː əˌkrɪl.əˈmiː.doʊ tuː ˈmɛθ.əl wʌn proʊˈpeɪn.sʌlˌfɒn.ɪk ˈæs.ɪd ˈsoʊ.di.əm sɔlt səˈluː.ʃən/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 5165-97-9 |
| Beilstein Reference | 4158397 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:129564 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2186258 |
| ChemSpider | 2299448 |
| DrugBank | DB14096 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 12-2119968569-21-0000 |
| EC Number | 428-050-6 |
| Gmelin Reference | 69672 |
| KEGG | C11802 |
| MeSH | D03.633.400.026.749 |
| PubChem CID | 23665799 |
| RTECS number | BRD4383300 |
| UNII | BZH3K14V3S |
| UN number | UN3082 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID7025478 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C7H13NO4SNa |
| Molar mass | 339.32 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.25 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Soluble in water |
| log P | -3.2 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.1 mm Hg (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 9.2 (at 25 °C) |
| Basicity (pKb) | 9.1 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.390 |
| Viscosity | 10-100 cP (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 7.72 D |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye damage. Causes skin irritation. May cause respiratory irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS05, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS05,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H290, H315, H319, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P264, P270, P301+P312, P305+P351+P338, P330, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0 |
| Flash point | >100°C (212°F) |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): >2000 mg/kg (rat) |
| NIOSH | Not established |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | Not Established |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Acrylamide 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) Sodium acrylate Acrylic acid Methacrylic acid Sodium methacrylate |
