M Cresol 4-Acido Sulfonico Sal belongs to the aromatic sulfonic acid salt family, formed from m-cresol, a methylphenol derivative. Its structure features a benzene ring with methyl and sulfonic acid groups, putting its unique chemistry on full display. With the chemical formula C7H8SO4, it brings together industrial importance and strong chemical character. People use the raw material in many applications, tracing back to its basic molecular building blocks. A direct product of chemical refining, this compound is often encountered as a powder, flakes, or sometimes in a crystalline solid form depending on preparation and intended storage. It delivers impressive solubility in water and carries a high level of electrical ionization in solution, which highlights why it’s often considered in surfactant chemistry and further downstream chemical manufacturing.
M Cresol 4-Acido Sulfonico Sal appears as a solid, sometimes fine powder, sometimes as large crystalline flakes, with a density hovering between 1.2 to 1.3 g/cm³. The salt shows a white to pale yellow color, and remains odorless, which makes storage less challenging than aromatic amines or concentrated amidosulfonic acids. Water takes up the material easily, yielding clear solutions under most laboratory conditions. Heat stability reaches the range needed for industrial safety, although it starts to degrade and evolve sulfur-based gases when pushed past proper limits. Solubility in organic solvents drops off, but aqueous solutions remain popular, not just for the chemistry but for the cleaning industries too. Its hygroscopicity keeps it sensitive to moisture, which means drying and packaging must control humidity to prevent caking or loss in purity over transportation.
One look at the molecular structure explains a lot about the salt’s behavior. The benzene skeleton, with three substituents—one methyl, one sulfonic acid, and a balance of ionic bond partners—delivers a balance of aromatic reactivity and ionic solubility. Safety demands respect for corrosivity, as the sulfonate group doesn’t belong on the skin or in the lungs. Inhalation of powder or fine dust has proven to irritate mucous membranes in lab settings. With that, anyone working with the salt must reach for solid PPE: gloves, chemical goggles, and strong local exhaust. Spills invite corrosion on surfaces and create slip hazards. This compound doesn’t explode in normal use, but accidental mixing with acids or strong bases produces vigorous reactions, so chemical compatibility charts go hand-in-hand with everyday lab routines. Fire hazards come into play with improper storage near oxidizers or organic fuels, turning a safe shelf chemical into a costly cleanup. Waste handling involves neutralization and safe wash-down, usually under wastewater permits with routine monitoring for sulfur discharge.
Manufacturers set tight standards around moisture content, residual free acids, and cation balance. Purity levels often advertise >98%, sometimes higher for specialty markets in electronics or pharmaceuticals, but most industrial uses settle on technical grades. Raw materials trace back to m-cresol, typically sourced from coal tar distillation or petrochemistry, and sulfuric acid, one of the most-produced industrial chemicals worldwide. Reactors working at controlled temperatures keep the reaction efficient, with filtration and crystallization steps bringing the salt out. Quality checks continue all the way to packaging, since any deviation in density can hint at residual solvent or incomplete reaction. HS Code classification, lining up under 290410 or adjacent codes, positions the product for international trade, tagging it within the universe of alkylphenol sulfonates. Regulatory compliance shadows each shipment, from GHS labeling right down to REACH or TSCA reporting for companies sending volume through global ports.
In the warehouse, M Cresol 4-Acido Sulfonico Sal ships in sacks or drums, sometimes in double-walled PE bags to avoid ambient water uptake. Flake and granular forms pack tight, reducing dust but still presenting some flowability issues for high-speed dosers in industrial settings. Bulk powder moves by pneumatic conveyors in large-scale plants. Shelf life stretches out longer than many organic chemicals because the aromatic backbone holds up well, but exposure to UV or high heat will start to yellow and break down the salt. In liquid form, diluted solutions bring a safer product to cleaners and detergent formulators, keeping hazards lower for workers measuring and blending by pail rather than by sack. Exporters keep a close eye on specifications, since small deviations in bulk density or cation exchange value will close doors in demanding global markets.
Every chemical with sulfonic acid groups lands in “harmful” territory on safety data sheets, and M Cresol 4-Acido Sulfonico Sal is no exception. Harm comes through chronic inhalation or skin exposure, and ingestion risks follow the same metabolic breakdown seen with related compounds. It doesn’t persist in the environment quite like polyaromatic hydrocarbons, as the sulfonic acid groups support hydrolysis, but surface water contamination can still drop pH and shift aquatic balances. Regulatory guidance recommends closed handling systems and engineered air filtration for long shifts, keeping workplaces out of the accident headlines. For customers, clear labeling on every drum or pail—signal words, pictograms, and response instructions—acts as a daily reminder that safety sits just on the side of vigilance. Down the supply chain, proper wastewater pre-treatment and permitted landfill disposal follow the salt’s lifecycle long after it leaves the reactor.
Living through a few years in the chemical industry, patterns show up fast. Plenty of effort goes into making these steps safer and more sustainable, from upgrades in raw material sourcing—pulling more m-cresol from bio-based streams—to advances in automated material handling. Right now, the challenge leans on finding non-hazardous alternatives, especially for household products. Some research targets green surfactant chemistry so core properties remain, but environmental impact drops. Industry groups respond with new worker training campaigns, tougher personal monitoring, and better emergency processes. At home and at work, users want safer chemistry, reliable specs, and a clear understanding of the impact of each bag of raw material. Progress won’t erase all existing hazards, but collaboration across research labs, compliance agencies, and plant floors keeps the outlook honest and the risks managed.
