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CAS Number: 6035-47-8 (anhydrous), 149-44-0 (hydrate common)
EC Number: 206-933-7
UN Number: Not regulated
Molecular Formula: CH₃NaO₃S · xH₂O (typically dihydrate)
Molecular Weight: 118.09 g/mol (anhydrous basis)
Synonyms:
Rongalite,Sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate,Formopon,Bruggolite,Hydrolin
Physical Characteristics:
White crystalline powder or flakes with slight sulfurous odor. The commercial product typically contains 2 moles of water of hydration. Exhibits melting point with decomposition at 120-130°C, excellent water solubility (>500 g/L at 20°C), and limited solubility in organic solvents. The solid exhibits moderate stability when dry but decomposes in aqueous solution, particularly under acidic conditions or elevated temperatures.
Comprehensive Application Spectrum
Textile Industry (60% of consumption):
Reductive Bleaching: For cotton and other cellulosic fibers, typically at 5-20 g/L with sodium hydroxide at 80-95°C, achieving superior whiteness compared to oxidative bleaching.
Vat Dye Reduction: Essential for solubilizing indigo and other vat dyes (usage: 5-15 g/L at 50-60°C).
Sulfur Dye Reduction: For black and dark shades on cotton.
Stripping Agent: For color correction and removal of faulty dyeings.
Case Example: In denim processing, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (10-15 g/L) reduces indigo to its soluble leuco form for continuous dyeing operations, providing consistent shade development.
Polymer Industry (25%):
Redox Initiator Systems: Combined with persulfates or peroxides for emulsion polymerization of styrene-butadiene, acrylates, and vinyl acetate.
Reducing Agent: In redox-initiated graft copolymerization.
Oxygen Scavenger: In polymer processing to prevent oxidative degradation.
Case Example: In SBR latex production, the Fenton-type system using sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate and tert-butyl hydroperoxide initiates polymerization at low temperatures (5-10°C), controlling molecular weight distribution.
Water Treatment (10%):
Heavy Metal Removal: Reduces Cr(VI) to Cr(III) for precipitation (typical dosage: 2-4 times stoichiometric).
Decolorization: For dye-containing wastewater treatment.
Case Example: In electroplating wastewater treatment, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate reduces hexavalent chromium to the less toxic trivalent form prior to hydroxide precipitation, achieving effluent concentrations below 0.1 mg/L.
Other Applications (5%):
Photography: As a developing agent in specific photographic processes.
Food Industry: Limited use as a bleaching agent for certain food starches (regulated use).
Analytical Chemistry: As a reducing titrant in quantitative analysis.
Cosmetics: In hair color removers and permanent wave formulations.
Market Dynamics and Innovation Trends
The sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate market faces pressure from alternative reducing agents (particularly thiourea dioxide and sodium borohydride) in textile applications due to formaldehyde emissions concerns. However, its cost-effectiveness and established technology maintain its position in price-sensitive markets. Growth opportunities exist in polymer initiation systems and wastewater treatment, particularly for heavy metal remediation.
Innovation vectors include:
Stabilized Formulations: Encapsulated or complexed forms with extended shelf life
Alternative Production Methods: Electrochemical synthesis for improved purity
Application Expansion: In semiconductor cleaning and metal recovery processes
Environmental Technologies: For in-situ chemical reduction of soil contaminants
The competitive landscape features increasing consolidation in China, while European producers focus on high-value specialty grades. Regulatory trends, particularly concerning formaldehyde emissions, drive formulation development toward lower-formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free alternatives. Future market evolution will likely see segmentation between commodity textile applications and specialized industrial uses, with pricing differentials reflecting environmental and performance characteristics.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT SODIUM FORMALDEHYDESULFOXYLATE HYDRATE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
