Names | |
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IUPAC name
α-sulfo-ω-(dodecyloxy)-poly(oxyethane-1,2-diyl), sodium salt
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Other names
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate
Sodium laureth sulphate Sodium lauryl ether sulphate |
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Identifiers | |
9004-82-4 | |
Abbreviations | SLES |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.036.281 |
PubChem | 23665884 sodium;2-dodecoxyethyl sulfate |
UNII |
ZZQ59TY3KG sodium laureth-2 sulfate BPV390UAP0 sodium laureth-3 sulfate 410Q7WN1BX sodium laureth-5 sulfate |
Properties | |
CH3(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na | |
Molar mass | around 420 g/mol (288.38 + 44.05n) g/mol |
Hazards | |
NFPA 704 | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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what is ?) | (|
Infobox references | |
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), an accepted contraction of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), is an anionic detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent. SLES, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), and sodium pareth sulfate are surfactants that are used in many cosmetic products for their cleaning and emulsifying properties. They behave similarly to soap.
Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na. Sometimes the number represented by n is specified in the name, for example laureth-2 sulfate. The product is heterogeneous in the number of ethoxyl groups, where n is the mean. It is common for commercial products for n= 3.
SLES is prepared by ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol. The resulting ethoxylate is converted to a half ester of sulfuric acid, which is neutralized by conversion to the sodium salt. The related surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS) is produced similarly, but without the ethoxylation step. SLS and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.