Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is a water-soluble sulfur-containing reducing agent chemically identified as sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate and commercially supplied most often as its dihydrate.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate belongs to the sulfinic acid salt family and contains a hydroxymethyl group attached directly to sulfur.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate serves principally in textile discharge printing, redox polymerization, selected bleaching processes, and specialty chemical manufacture.
CAS Number: 149-44-0, anhydrous substance
EC Number: 205-739-4, anhydrous substance
Molecular Formula: CH₃NaO₃S, anhydrous substance
Molecular Weight: 118.09 g/mol, anhydrous substance
Dihydrate CAS Number: 6035-47-8
Dihydrate Molecular Formula: CH₃NaO₃S·2H₂O
Dihydrate Molecular Weight: 154.12 g/mol
Commercial Form Distinction: The dihydrate is a distinct hydrated form; stabilized powders and aqueous solutions require their own composition and concentration specifications.
Synonyms: Sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate, Sodium hydroxymethanesulphinate, Sodium hydroxymethylsulfinate, Monosodium hydroxymethanesulfinate, Hydroxymethanesulfinic acid sodium salt, Hydroxymethanesulfinic acid monosodium salt, Hydroxymethanesulphinic acid sodium salt, Hydroxymethanesulfinic acid monosodium salt, Sodium formaldehyde sulphoxylate, Formaldehyde sodium sulfoxylate, Sodium sulfoxylate formaldehyde, Formaldehydesulfoxylic acid sodium salt, Sodium oxymethylene sulfoxylate, Sodium methanalsulfoxylate, Sodium sulfinomethanolate, Formaldehyde hydrosulfite, SFS, HMS, Rongalite, Rongalit C, Sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate dihydrate, Sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate dihydrate, Formaldehyde sodium sulphoxylate dihydrate, Monosodium hydroxymethanesulfinate dihydrate, Hydroxymethanesulfinic acid monosodium salt dihydrate, Sodium formaldehydesulfoxylate hydrate, CAS 149-44-0, EC 205-739-4, PubChem CID 23689980, UNII X4ZGP7K714, Methanesulfinic Acid Hydroxy Monosodium Salt, Methanesulfinic Acid 1-Hydroxy Sodium Salt (1:1), Sodium Oxymethylene Sulfoxylate, Sodium Oxymethylene Sulphoxylate, Sodium Methanalsulfoxylate, Sodium Methanalsulphoxylate, Sodium Oxymethanesulfinate, Sodium Oxymethanesulphinate, Formaldehydesulfoxylic Acid Sodium Salt, Formaldehydesulphoxylic Acid Sodium Salt, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate Anhydrous, Sodium Sulfoxylate Formaldehyde Anhydrous, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate Dihydrate, Sodium Formaldehydesulfoxylate Dihydrate, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulphoxylate Dihydrate, Sodium Hydroxymethanesulfinate Dihydrate, Sodium Hydroxymethanesulphinate Dihydrate, Monosodium Hydroxymethanesulfinate Dihydrate, Hydroxymethanesulfinic Acid Sodium Salt Dihydrate, Hydroxymethanesulfinic Acid Monosodium Salt Dihydrate, Formaldehyde Sodium Sulfoxylate Dihydrate, Rongalite, Rongalit, Rongalite C, Rongalit C, Rongalite Dihydrate, Rongalite C Dihydrate, Brüggolit, Bruggolit, Brüggolite, Brüggolit C, Bruggolit C, Bruggolite C, Aldanil, Discolite, Decolite, Formapon, Formopan, Hydrolit
APPLICATIONS
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate functions as the reducing component of redox initiation systems for aqueous emulsion polymerization.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate participates in radical-generating reactions with suitable oxidizing components and, where applicable, metal activators.
Additionally, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate supports the manufacture of synthetic polymer dispersions and rubber latices, including selected styrene-butadiene and nitrile rubber systems.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate contributes to initiation efficiency through its reducing activity, with performance depending on the complete redox system and reaction environment.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate also participates in post-polymerization treatments intended to reduce residual monomer in latex products.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate supplies reducing activity in a redox “chase” that promotes further conversion after the main polymerization stage.
Moreover, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate can support residual-monomer control in polymer dispersions subsequently formulated into coatings or adhesives.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate requires evaluation against the latex composition, pH, temperature, and oxidizing partner because residual-monomer removal varies substantially between systems.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate serves as an established discharge agent for printing patterns onto suitably dyed textile fabrics.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate reduces susceptible dye chromophores in printed areas, allowing white or colored designs to develop against a dyed background.
In addition, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is incorporated into selected discharge-printing preparations for woven and knitted cellulosic materials.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate requires compatible ground dyes and print formulations because discharge behavior depends on dye structure and fabric processing conditions.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate provides reducing activity in selected direct-printing systems employing vat dyes.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate helps convert suitable vat dyes into reduced forms that can participate in coloration of cellulosic fibers.
Additionally, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate has an established role in printing systems that combine discharge of a ground shade with development of a vat-dye design.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate must be matched to the particular dye and printing process because reduction rate and subsequent dye development influence shade and fixation.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate remains employed in selected mineral-bleaching applications where a reducing treatment can decrease unwanted coloration.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate supplies reducing equivalents to susceptible colored species within an appropriately designed treatment.
Moreover, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate offers a water-soluble reducing reagent for processing systems that require distribution through an aqueous phase.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate requires assessment against mineral composition and process conditions because reducing treatment cannot remove every type of discoloration.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is incorporated into documented redox systems for manufacturing polycarboxylate superplasticizers.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate hydrate has been investigated with hydrogen peroxide during copolymerization of acrylic acid and vinyl polyoxyethylene ether macromonomers.
In addition, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate contributes to radical generation during production of these concrete-admixture polymers.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate performs a manufacturing function in this application, while the resulting polymer provides the principal cement-dispersing and water-reducing effects.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate serves as a versatile reagent in research involving sulfur-containing organic compounds.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate can act as a reducing reagent, radical initiator, or sulfur dioxide surrogate in appropriately selected transformations.
Additionally, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate has been investigated in routes to sulfinates and sulfonamide derivatives.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate exhibits reaction-dependent behavior, so these roles represent specific documented transformations rather than universal reactivity toward organic substrates.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate has been investigated as a reducing agent for preparing silver nanoparticles and silver-polymer nanocomposites.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate promotes conversion of dissolved silver ions into metallic silver in suitable aqueous systems.
Moreover, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate has supported research on silver particles dispersed within polyvinyl alcohol.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate requires controlled formulation and characterization in these applications because particle size, aggregation, and optical behavior depend on the complete preparation system.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate functions as an antioxidant and stabilizing excipient in selected pharmaceutical formulations.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate provides reducing activity that can help protect susceptible ingredients from oxidative deterioration.
Additionally, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is available in specifically qualified pharmaceutical grades that differ from general industrial material.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate suitability for pharmaceutical use depends on the exact grade, applicable compendial requirements, formulation compatibility, route of administration, and regulatory requirements for the finished preparation.
DESCRIPTION
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is the monosodium salt of hydroxymethanesulfinic acid, with the condensed ionic structure HOCH₂SO₂Na.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate contains a carbon-sulfur bond, a hydroxymethyl group, and a sulfinate group responsible for its characteristic chemistry.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate differs chemically from sodium hydroxymethanesulfonate, the more highly oxidized formaldehyde-bisulfite addition compound.
Moreover, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is distinct from sodium dithionite, sodium sulfite, and sodium metabisulfite despite overlapping reducing-agent applications.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is commercially encountered as a white crystalline powder or granular solid, commonly in hydrated form.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate dissolves readily in water, while the solubility reported for a commercial grade depends on hydration and composition.
Additionally, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate dihydrate grades can show melting or softening behavior around 63–64°C.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate thermal behavior must be interpreted alongside decomposition data because heating does not necessarily produce a stable liquid phase.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is relatively stable in alkaline aqueous environments compared with acidic conditions.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate undergoes acid-promoted decomposition that can generate sulfur dioxide and other reaction products.
In addition, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate decomposition or combustion can release formaldehyde and hazardous sulfur-containing fumes.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate reducing activity and solution stability therefore depend on pH, temperature, oxygen exposure, and the surrounding formulation.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate commercial grades can differ in hydration, reducing assay, residual sulfite, stabilizer content, and particle size.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is supplied in some preparations stabilized with sodium carbonate, which changes the composition of the commercial grade.
Moreover, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate assay expressed on a dihydrate basis should not be interpreted automatically as an anhydrous mass percentage.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate pharmaceutical grades require separate qualification, while industrial powders and formulated solutions should be assessed against their own specifications.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate dihydrate is classified in current safety documentation as suspected of causing genetic defects and suspected of damaging the unborn child.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate workplace labeling must follow the current regional supplier SDS for the exact supplied grade.
Additionally, Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate is combustible, and accumulation of fine dust can introduce a dust-explosion hazard under suitable conditions.
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate requires containment during handling and disposal because chemical reactivity and decomposition products remain relevant even when a grade lacks an aquatic-hazard classification.
PROPERTIES
Product Name: Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate
Common Chemical Name: Sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate
Systematic Name: Sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate
CAS-Style Name: Methanesulfinic acid, hydroxy-, monosodium salt
Common Abbreviation: SFS
Alternative Research Abbreviation: HMS
Chemical Family: Sulfinic acid salts; organosulfur compounds
Functional Class: Reducing agent
Anhydrous CAS Number: 149-44-0
EC Number: 205-739-4
Anhydrous Molecular Formula: CH₃NaO₃S
Condensed Structural Formula: HOCH₂SO₂Na
Anhydrous Molecular Weight: 118.09 g/mol
Anhydrous PubChem CID: 23689980
Anhydrous UNII: X4ZGP7K714
Anhydrous InChIKey: XWGJFPHUCFXLBL-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Dihydrate CAS Number: 6035-47-8
Dihydrate Molecular Formula: CH₃NaO₃S·2H₂O
Dihydrate Molecular Weight: 154.12 g/mol
Dihydrate PubChem CID: 23666330
Dihydrate UNII: SQ4705447D
Physical State: Solid for powder and granular grades; liquid for formulated aqueous solutions
Appearance: Typically white crystalline powder or granules
Water Solubility: Readily soluble; numerical values depend on grade and hydration
Representative Melting Behavior, Dihydrate: Approximately 63–64°C; decomposition and hydration changes must also be considered
Representative Density, Hydrated Grade: Approximately 1.8 g/cm³ at 20°C
Representative Bulk Density, Hydrated Powder Grade: Approximately 950 kg/m³
Representative pH, Carbonate-Stabilized Hydrated Grade: 9.5–10.5 at 20°C, 100 g/L in water
Purity and Reducing Assay: Grade dependent; specify analytical method and anhydrous or hydrate basis
Stabilizer Content: Grade dependent; sodium carbonate is present in some stabilized preparations
Boiling Point: No established normal boiling point; decomposition limits interpretation
Flash Point: Not applicable to the solid form as a conventional liquid flash-point property
Primary Industrial Functions: Reduction, textile discharge, redox initiation, and selected antioxidant applications Representative GHS Classification, Dihydrate: Germ cell mutagenicity Category 2; reproductive toxicity Category 2
Representative Hazard Statements: H341—Suspected of causing genetic defects; H361d—Suspected of damaging the unborn child
Supplemental Acid-Contact Hazard: Toxic or very toxic gas release; EUH031 or EUH032 wording appears in different grade documentation
Representative Signal Word: Warning
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids and strong oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition or Combustion Products: Formaldehyde, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide
Representative Transport Status, Dihydrate Grades: Not regulated as dangerous goods under DOT, ADR/RID, IMDG, and IATA in reviewed grade documentation
UN Number: Not assigned for those non-regulated dihydrate grades
Transport Class: Not assigned for those grades
Packing Group: Not assigned for those grades
Storage Conditions: Cool, dry, ventilated storage in tightly closed compatible containers; follow grade-specific temperature limits
Shelf Life: Grade, purity, packaging, storage conditions, and manufacturer dependent
Regulatory Suitability: Industrial material does not automatically meet pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, or food-contact requirements
FIRST AID
Inhalation:
Move the affected person to fresh air and keep at rest.
Seek medical attention for persistent coughing, irritation, or breathing difficulty.
Following exposure to decomposition gases, obtain prompt medical assessment and avoid unprotected entry into the contaminated area.
Skin Contact:
Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin thoroughly with water and soap.
Continue rinsing if contamination remains.
Obtain medical attention if irritation persists, and clean contaminated clothing before reuse.
Eye Contact:
Immediately rinse cautiously with clean running water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open.
Remove contact lenses when present and easy to remove.
Obtain medical attention, particularly if discomfort, redness, or visual disturbance continues.
Ingestion:
Rinse the mouth with water.
Do not induce vomiting.
Contact a poison center or physician for advice, and never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically and consider whether exposure involved dust, an alkaline commercial formulation, or decomposition gases.
Provide the treating clinician with the current SDS and exposure details.
Seek medical advice after significant exposure or concern related to the suspected mutagenic or developmental hazards.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Avoid inhalation, ingestion, and contact with eyes or skin.
Minimize dust generation during opening, weighing, and transfer.
Maintain good workplace hygiene and obtain appropriate instruction before handling grades classified for suspected mutagenic or reproductive effects.
Engineering Controls:
Use enclosed transfer or effective local exhaust where dust or process emissions may occur.
Provide suitable extraction for operations capable of releasing formaldehyde or sulfur-containing gases.
Keep eyewash facilities and emergency washing equipment accessible.
Personal Protection:
Wear chemical safety goggles, suitable chemical-resistant gloves, and protective clothing.
Select glove materials and replacement intervals according to the supplied grade and exposure conditions.
Use additional face protection where splashing or significant dust exposure is possible.
Respiratory Protection:
Use appropriately selected particulate respiratory protection when dust exposure cannot be adequately controlled.
A particulate filter does not protect against formaldehyde or other decomposition gases.
Gas exposure, oxygen deficiency, and emergency response require respiratory protection selected through a competent exposure assessment.
Fire and Dust Control:
Keep away from heat, sparks, flames, and other ignition sources.
Prevent deposits of fine dust and control static discharge where the powder-handling assessment identifies an ignition risk.
Use cleaning methods and vacuum equipment suitable for potentially combustible dust, and avoid compressed-air cleaning.
Storage:
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location in tightly closed containers.
Protect solid grades from moisture and excessive heat.
Follow the supplied grade’s temperature limits, since published recommendations differ between preparations.
Investigate abnormal odor or other signs of decomposition before further handling or use.
Material Compatibility:
Segregate from strong acids and strong oxidizing agents.
Acid contamination can release hazardous gases, while oxidizing agents can react strongly with the reducing material.
Use containers, seals, and process equipment compatible with the supplied powder or stabilized solution.
Spill and Leak Procedures:
Restrict access and ventilate the affected area.
Collect solid spills carefully into compatible containers while minimizing dust.
Contain solution spills with suitable inert absorbent and prevent contact with incompatible chemicals.
Do not acidify spilled material or attempt uncontrolled chemical neutralization.
Environmental Precautions:
Prevent uncontrolled discharge to drains, soil, groundwater, and surface water.
Collect contaminated wash water and firefighting runoff for appropriate treatment.
Assess waste according to its reducing activity, formulation ingredients, and any contaminants acquired during use.
Fire Response:
Use an extinguishing medium appropriate to the surrounding fire and the current grade SDS, such as water spray, dry chemical, or suitable foam.
Avoid high-pressure jets that disperse powder.
Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing because hazardous decomposition fumes may be released.
Waste Disposal:
Send unused material, contaminated residues, and affected packaging to an authorized waste-management facility.
Keep waste separated from acids and oxidizing agents during collection.
Determine the applicable waste classification from the actual composition and local regulatory requirements.