Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate appears as a solid, often in powder, flakes, or pearl form, and sometimes can be dissolved to prepare a clear liquid or crystalline solution. Chemists recognize it by the molecular formula C2H5NaO4S and a systematic structure where the sodium ion is attached to the sulphonate group, with a hydroxyethyl chain branching from it. The presence of both a sulfonic and a hydroxyl group brings about water solubility that stands out against more oily or waxy compounds, lending it critical value in aqueous systems. For those interested in regulatory codes, its HS Code marks the product as a chemical for industrial import and export classification.
This material stands out for a unique structural composition: a sulfonic acid group neutralized by sodium, plus a hydroxyethyl group that modifies the charge distribution across the molecule. Compared to more basic sodium salts, this arrangement delivers pronounced water affinity and offers lower irritancy in many formulations—certainly noticeable in tests with skin contact or laboratory solutions. The molecular weight sits close to 150.1 g/mol, and the compound typically has a density just above 1 g/cm3. Flakes and pearls display a white, slightly translucent appearance, not unlike other sodium sulfonates I’ve handled, but upon dissolving, you notice the clarity of the resulting solution thanks to minimal impurities.
Solid Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate typically melts around 250°C. Aqueous solutions behave very differently from many salts—the hydroxy group keeps the solution less prone to crystallize or salt out, allowing concentrated forms well above 30% by weight at room temperature. As a powder, it doesn’t clump easily, making it a favorite for storage in humid climates, with relatively low moisture uptake for a sulfonate. Industries value its ease of weighing and dissolving, no matter if applied in large-scale mixing tanks or hand-prepared laboratory solutions.
Working directly with Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate, one picks up on its relatively low hazard profile—though I’d never recommend skipping gloves and goggles. The chemical rates as only slightly irritating to skin and eyes at concentrated forms, with limited environmental risk compared to other sulphonates, largely due to its ready biodegradability and low toxicity to aquatic life. No combustion risks crop up during use, and dust forms aren’t known for respiratory sensitization. Safety datasheets list it as non-hazardous under most transport rules, yet spillage still warrants prompt cleanup to prevent slips or contact irritation. From experience, washing away solid or dissolved forms with water fixes minor exposure issues quickly.
Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate fills a niche in synthetic chemistry and material science, often showing up as a raw material for the production of surface-active agents, textile auxiliaries, and sometimes as an intermediate in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The hydroxy and sulfonate groups give it exceptional dispersing capacity for pigments and minerals in water-based systems. I've seen it used in formulations for dyes and fabric treatments—its robust solubility helps prevent pigment settling and supports even coloration throughout textile batches. As a buffering and stabilizing agent, it supports pH maintenance in personal care and cleaning products. Many plants choose it as a safer sulfonate alternative for operators who handle bulk bags or drums, since accidental spills or leaks rarely cause lasting harm.
Producers deliver Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate in several forms, each serving different handling needs. Solid powder is the most versatile, pouring easily in industrial environments. Flakes carry the advantage of reduced airborne dust, protecting workers and keeping benches clean. Pearls are often selected for automated feeding systems, sized for consistent flow. In regions where liquid blending dominates, concentrated solutions reduce production steps. The compound’s high purity in all these formats supports applications where batch consistency counts, such as polymer synthesis and specialty chemical preparation. In lab settings, I've gravitated toward the crystalline solid for analytical work, where ease of mass measurement spells the difference on precise projects.
Aqueous solutions of Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate show a marked increase in solution density as concentration rises, roughly matching other sodium sulfonates but with smoother solubility curves. Solubility reaches up to 500 grams per liter at ambient temperature. For bulk storage, the product generally goes into lined drums or moisture-proof bags, since moisture ingress over extended periods can cake powder or flake—though the product’s hygroscopicity sits lower than many similar chemicals on the market. Liquid forms ship in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drums or intermediate bulk containers for factory-scale processes. My own experience highlights solid versions winning out for long-term holding: they last for months in a dry, cool environment without significant change.
Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate plays well with a broad slate of process materials, rarely causing corrosion or degradation in steel, HDPE, or glass reactors. From a chemical reactivity perspective, it keeps its stability both in acid and alkaline conditions, retaining its sulfonate group under tough processing steps—what’s valuable to formulators targeting downstream blends. The compound is free-flowing; even after months on the shelf, there’s little clumping or hardening if stored correctly. Operators can measure, mix, and transport it with standard procedures, reducing surprise compatibility problems.
The identity of Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate rings clear thanks to well-established analytical methods: titration confirms sodium, infrared spectroscopy verifies sulfonate and hydroxyl stretches, and X-ray crystallography locks in molecular arrangement. This robust identification framework supports reliable specification and repeated raw material quality assessments on both the producer and user sides. In customs and shipping paperwork, its HS Code sorts under sodium sulfonic acid derivatives—so regulatory teams face less confusion compared to more complex or ambiguous specialty chemicals. For traceability, batch numbers and supplier origin usually track with every shipment, letting labs and buying managers keep rigorous compliance records or troubleshoot rare supply chain questions.
Every chemical presents risks and, through personal experience, labeling, routine safety training, and straightforward storage rules reduce incidents in daily handling. For Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulphonate, the paths to reliable supply depend on trusted manufacturers, clear documentation, and routine verification of bulk stocks for moisture or contamination. Teams working with it on technical projects benefit from well-maintained MSDS access, regular refresher training, and standard labeling—mistakes drop, and batch-to-batch consistency takes shape as a given. In the wider chemical community, dialogue between users, regulators, and producers builds safe protocols that support not only individual worker health but overall system reliability, from warehouse to end-product fabrication.
