Sodium alkyl sulfates (SAS) are water-soluble salts that act as detergents or wetting agents.
Contents
Properties
Sodium alkyl sulfate is the singular of a group of generic salts called sodium alkyl sulfates, which is a mixture of different alkyls as the term implies, e.g. sodium lauryl sulfate. They are pale yellow solids/ powders or thick liquids, which smell of detergent. They are water-soluble and can form soap bubbles. The chemical formula is CnH2n+1OSO2O Na. The CAS Number is 68955-19-1. SAS decomposes with boiling, hydrolyzing at 50 degree C.
Use
Sodium alkyl sulfates can be used in detergents, dish washing liquids, shower gels, shampoos, hair conditioners and fabric softeners. SAS can be used as fire extinguishing agent, because it is not flammable. In the cosmetic industry it is used as an emulsifier to mix oily and water-soluble compounds for toothpaste or moisturising products.
Health
SAS can produce irritating vapors when heated, consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide sulfur dioxide and others. As all detergents it can irritate skin and eyes. If swallowed, it will cause nausea or vomiting with an LD50 of 0.5 to 5 g/kg.
Ecosystems
SAS is toxic for freshwater fish with an aquatic toxicity of 6-7 ppm/fish/min. It does not concentrate in the food chain. Branched alkenes are resistant to degradation by bacteria and hence linear alkyl sulfonates are used in detergents.