Ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt monohydrate brings together the properties of an organic sulfonic acid and a sodium counterion, combined with a molecule of water per formula unit. This chemical, recognized for its high solubility in water and stable storage characteristics, is grouped in scientific literature with the formula C2H5NaO3S·H2O. Many laboratories and chemical suppliers list this product under HS Code 29420000, identifying it as an organic compound for research and industrial applications. What sets this compound apart is not just its reliable solubility, but also its ability to remain stable in both powder and crystalline forms, offering manufacturers a degree of flexibility in handling and formulating products that require tight control of chemical properties.
This chemical typically appears in solid form, often as a white or nearly white crystalline powder, though it can also come in pearls, flakes, and, more rarely, as a solution. Clarity and texture can differ slightly depending on storage and production, with the monohydrate state ensuring a consistent crystalline structure, readily evident under even basic laboratory inspection. Its molecular structure features an ethyl group attached to a sulfonic acid, fully neutralized by the sodium ion. A single water molecule stabilizes the overall lattice in the monohydrate version, which has direct implications for weight calculations—important for accurate batching and formulation in chemicals processing. Anyone who’s weighed the dry salt for a reaction knows that ignoring the water of hydration can throw off the outcome. With a molecular weight of about 162.14 g/mol (for the monohydrate), formula accuracy aids both product reproducibility and regulatory compliance.
Ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt monohydrate dissolves swiftly in water, forming clear, colorless solutions across a range of concentrations. Thanks to this property, the compound is valued in chemical synthesis and especially in pharmaceuticals as a buffering agent. The substance has a density in the range of 1.5–1.7 g/cm³, and the purity levels provided by most suppliers reach above 99%, making it suitable for analytical grade applications. Shelf-life increases with dry, cool, and well-sealed storage, which reduces the chances of clumping—a relief for those who have ever tried to weigh a clumped powder in a hurry. Available in kilogram quantities, this material’s physical state—be it flakes, solid, fine powder, or crystalline chunks—offers further control to chemists and engineers, based on the needs of their processes.
Handling this chemical safely means understanding both the risks and the straightforward protocols for mitigation. Ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt monohydrate avoids the strong corrosivity typically found with mineral acid salts, but standard lab precautions must be followed. It can cause mild irritation to skin, eyes, or lungs if handled without gloves or in a dusty environment. Those working with large quantities tend to wear goggles and masks—routine but necessary. Any accidental spills should get a simple water wash and absorbent sweeping, since the product is fully water-soluble. Never treat any chemical as harmless entirely—chronic exposure to dust of any organic salt should not be overlooked, and material safety data sheets (MSDS) reinforce this advice.
Each molecule carries a strong sulfonate functional group (–SO3Na) bound to a short, two-carbon chain. The sodium ion brings electrolytic properties, enhancing its value in chemical and pharmaceutical synthesis, where ionic strength and pH control matter. Its atomic composition includes carbon, hydrogen, sodium, oxygen, and sulfur. On an analytical level, it registers as non-volatile and non-flammable, and neither highly acidic nor caustic, making it easier to handle compared to some analogues. This chemical resists oxidation and degradation under standard laboratory and industrial storage conditions, much appreciated when shelf-life is measured in years, not weeks.
Specifications for this material usually include appearance (white or colorless crystalline powder), purity of at least 99%, sodium (Na) content, water (for the monohydrate), and very low levels of chloride, sulfate, heavy metals, and other common contaminants. It is not classed as a hazardous material under most global regulatory guidelines, avoiding the transport complications that can arise with more reactive chemicals. In the pharmaceutical world, this material acts as a buffer or reagent, serving as a raw material for more complex molecules. Other industries capitalize on its high solubility, using it for chemical processes needing precise ionic control or for formulation of specialty cleaning agents.
Experts tracking the raw materials market notice that sources of ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt monohydrate rely on established chemical synthesis routes. Many suppliers source raw ethanesulfonic acid, neutralize it with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide, and crystallize the product in a controlled water-rich environment. Supply chains can face hiccups when raw precursor prices rise, but the relative stability of demand from key industrial sectors supports a consistent supply for most users. Long-term storage depends more on packaging, climate, and contamination risk than any intrinsic material property.
Lab veterans and factory technicians alike understand that the safest and most cost-effective use of chemicals starts long before the substance lands on a shelf. Reading the safety data sheet, understanding the molecular weight—alert for the monohydrate state—using dry scoops and reliable containers, and wearing the right protective equipment makes even routine handling risk-free. In applications from synthetic chemistry to buffer agents in pharmaceutical manufacturing, using a reliable, well-characterized compound like ethanesulfonic acid sodium salt monohydrate supports not only efficient processes but reduces long-term regulatory headaches. With chemical safety and quality always under scrutiny, this material demonstrates how traditional physical property control still underpins modern chemical manufacturing.
