Sodium laureth sulfate

Not to be confused with Sodium lauryl sulfate.
Sodium laureth sulfate
Names
IUPAC name
α-Sulfo-ω-(dodecyloxy)-poly(oxyethane-1,2-diyl), sodium salt
Other names
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate
Sodium laureth sulphate
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate
Sodium dodecyl polyoxyethylene sulfate
Identifiers
Abbreviations SLES
ChemSpider
  • sodium laureth-2 sulfate: none
ECHA InfoCard 100.036.281 Edit this at Wikidata
  • 23665884 (sodium 2-dodecoxyethyl sulfate)
UNII
Properties
CH3(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na
Molar mass Variable; typically around 421 g/mol
(288.38 + 44.05n) g/mol
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
1
0
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), an accepted contraction of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), also called sodium alkylethersulfate, is an anionic detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.) and for industrial uses. SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent.[1] 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. It is derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. In herbicides, it is used as a surfactant to improve absorption of the herbicidal chemicals[2] and reduces time the product takes to be rainfast, when enough of the herbicidal agent will be absorbed.

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. Laureth-3 sulfate is the most common one in commercial products.

  1. ^ Kurt Kosswig,"Surfactants" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, 2005, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_747
  2. ^ "Safety Data Sheet Bayer FINALE Herbicide". Bayer Environmental Sciences UK. Retrieved 20 August 2021.