Sodium Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Sulfonate

CAS Number:

68584-18-9

Chemical  Name:

Sodium Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Sulfonate. Commonly abbreviated as MES.

Molecular Formula:

A common structure is C17H33NaO4S (e.g., sodium methyl palmitate sulfonate). MES is a mixture, and the alkyl chain length depends on the source oil (typically C14-C18)

Molecular Weight:

Approximately 372.5 g/mol (for C16)

Common Form:

Light yellow to beige flakes, granules, or powder

Uses:

MES is primarily used as a main surfactant in detergents, excelling particularly in phosphate-free or low-phosphate formulations and applications requiring high performance in hard water.

Primary Application Areas:

· Laundry Detergents & Dishwashing Liquids: Used as a core surfactant or in combination with Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) in the production of laundry powders, liquids, and dishwashing detergents.

· Composite Soaps & Soap Powders: Used in the manufacture of composite soaps with enhanced detergency and hard water resistance.

· Personal Cleansing Products: Used in small amounts in some body washes and facial cleansers for mild cleansing.

· Industrial & Household Cleaners: Used in various hard surface cleaners.

What does MES do in a formulation?

• Primary Surfactant: Provides excellent detergency, emulsification, foaming, and wetting power.
• Hard Water Resistance: Core advantage. Exhibits very high tolerance to calcium and magnesium ions (more than 10 times that of traditional LAS), maintains detergency in hard water, and resists scum formation.
• Good Synergy with Builders: Works well with phosphate-free builders like zeolites and sodium carbonate, making it suitable for eco-friendly formulations.
• Compatibility with Enzymes: Good stability in enzyme-containing detergent formulations.
• Environmentally Friendly: Derived from renewable oils and fats, with excellent biodegradability (>98%).

Safety Profile:

· Hazard Classification: Generally considered low toxicity and low irritation. Not classified as highly toxic or strongly corrosive.

· Toxicological Data: Low oral toxicity (rat oral LD?? > 2000 mg/kg). Skin and eye irritation are mild to moderate.

· Ecotoxicity: Good biodegradability, not prone to accumulation in the environment. Toxicity to aquatic organisms is low to moderate.

· Required PPE: When handling powder, wearing a dust mask, safety glasses, and gloves is recommended to prevent inhalation and contact.

· Stability Note: Unstable under strong acidic conditions (pH < 4), hydrolyzing to the parent sulfonic acid and methanol. Store in a cool, dry place away from strong oxidizing agents.

Technical profile: