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Sodium Monochloroacetate (SMCA): Physicochemical Properties, Industrial Applications, and Quality Control Guide

Sodium Monochloroacetate (SMCA, chemical formula: ClCH2COONa, CAS No. 3926-62-3) is a highly reactive organic synthesis intermediate. As a vital building block in fine chemicals and bulk industrial manufacturing, SMCA plays an indispensable role in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, daily chemicals, personal care, and polymer additives due to its excellent nucleophilic substitution reactivity and water solubility.

As a trusted global supplier of quality chemical raw materials and technical services, Wuxi High Mountain Hi-Tech Development Co., Ltd. provides an in-depth technical analysis of SMCA's physicochemical properties, key industrial applications, and quality control parameters.

I. Physicochemical Properties: Balancing High Reactivity with Solubility

At ambient temperature and pressure, Sodium Monochloroacetate presents as a white crystalline powder, odorless or with a slight pungent odor.

  • Solubility & Stability: Readily soluble in water, slightly soluble in methanol, and insoluble in diethyl ether or most non-polar organic solvents. It remains stable under dry, ambient storage conditions but undergoes hydrolysis in high-temperature or strongly alkaline environments to yield sodium glycolate and sodium chloride.

  • Chemical Reactivity: The chlorine atom on the alpha-carbon exhibits strong nucleophilic activity, reacting smoothly with amines, alcohols, phenols, and thiols to efficiently introduce carboxymethyl groups (-CH2COOH) into organic molecules.

II. Core Industrial Application Sectors

As a core reagent for carboxymethylation reactions, SMCA is widely applied across multiple fine chemical value chains:

  1. Cellulose Derivatives & Personal Care Additives (Primary Share):

    • Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC): Produced by reacting SMCA with alkali cellulose, serving as a thickener, stabilizer, and binder in food, papermaking, oil drilling, and detergent formulations.

    • Mild Surfactants: Used to synthesize imidazoline and betaine amphoteric surfactants (e.g., Cocamidopropyl Betaine), serving as key ingredients in silicone-free shampoos and infant care products.

  2. Agrochemical Intermediates:

    • Applied in synthesizing herbicides (such as 2,4-D and Bromacil), insecticides (such as Dimethoate), and plant growth regulators.

  3. Pharmaceuticals & Synthetic Chemistry:

    • Utilized in the pharmaceutical sector for synthesizing Ibuprofen, Caffeine, Vitamin B6, and various amino acid derivatives.

    • Employed in manufacturing thioglycolic acid, glyphosate precursors, and specialty chelating agents (such as EDTA alternatives).

III. Key Quality Parameters for Procurement and Inspection

To ensure high conversion rates and product purity in downstream carboxymethylation reactions, quality evaluation should focus on the following core specifications:

  • Main Assay (as ClCH2COONa): Premium industrial grade requires an assay ≥ 98.5% (dry basis); insufficient purity disrupts stoichiometric ratios during formulation.

  • Free Monochloroacetic Acid (MCA): Strictly controlled at ≤ 0.5% to minimize product corrosiveness and caking tendencies.

  • Sodium Chloride (NaCl) & Inorganic Salts: Typically specified at ≤ 1.0%; excessive inorganic salts impair crosslinking density and viscosity stability in downstream polymers like CMC.

  • Moisture Content (Loss on Drying): Controlled at ≤ 1.0%; moisture-proof packaging prevents caking and hydrolytic degradation.

IV. Wuxi High Mountain: High-Purity Supply & Full-Process Logistics Support

Consistent quality and timely dispatch of Sodium Monochloroacetate directly impact the efficiency and continuity of downstream processing lines. Wuxi High Mountain Hi-Tech Development Co., Ltd. supplies high-purity, low-impurity SMCA packaged in moisture-resistant double-layer valve bags and jumbo bags to maintain quality during maritime and long-distance transport.

We provide full batch Certificates of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and customized supply chain solutions to help our clients boost production efficiency and supply chain security.