Sodium Decyl Sulfate is an anionic fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations for cleansing, foaming and other surface-active applications. It is the sodium salt of decyl sulfate and contains a saturated C10 hydrocarbon chain.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is also known as Sodium n-Decyl Sulfate, Decyl Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Decyl Sulphate and Sulfuric Acid, Monodecyl Ester, Sodium Salt. Its CAS number is 142-87-0, molecular formula is C10H21NaO4S, and molecular weight is 260.33 g/mol.
The molecule has an amphiphilic structure consisting of a hydrophobic decyl chain and a hydrophilic sulfate group. This structure gives Sodium Decyl Sulfate its surface-active characteristics and allows it to interact with aqueous and oily phases in suitable formulation systems.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is documented as a cosmetic surfactant with foaming and cleansing functions. It is also identified in chemical-use databases for surfactant and emulsifier applications.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is the sodium salt of decyl hydrogen sulfate and belongs to the fatty alcohol sulfate family. Its characteristic alkyl chain contains 10 carbon atoms and is saturated.
The sulfate group provides the ionic, hydrophilic portion of the molecule, while the C10 hydrocarbon chain provides the hydrophobic portion. This combination makes the ingredient suitable for surface-active applications.
PubChem identifies CAS 142-87-0 and EC 205-568-5 and provides the C10H21NaO4S molecular formula and 260.33 g/mol molecular weight.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate contains a saturated C10 alkyl chain attached through oxygen to a sulfate group, with sodium as the counter-ion.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| INCI Name | Sodium Decyl Sulfate |
| Product Name | Sodium Decyl Sulfate |
| CAS Number | 142-87-0 |
| EC Number | 205-568-5 |
| Chemical Name | Sodium Decyl Sulfate |
| Alternative Name | Sodium n-Decyl Sulfate |
| Other Name | Decyl Sodium Sulfate |
| Chemical Class | Fatty Alcohol Sulfate |
| Surfactant Type | Anionic |
| Carbon Chain | C10 |
| Chain Type | Saturated |
| Counter-Ion | Sodium |
| Molecular Formula | C10H21NaO4S |
| Molecular Weight | 260.33 g/mol |
| Category | Cosmetic Ingredient |
The Sodium Decyl Sulfate molecule contains:
Its simplified structural representation is:
CH₃(CH₂)₉OSO₃Na
The hydrophobic decyl chain and hydrophilic sulfate group give the molecule its amphiphilic nature.
PubChem's structure record represents Sodium Decyl Sulfate as a sodium salt of decyl sulfate.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is an anionic surfactant.
Anionic surfactants contain a negatively charged hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain. They can accumulate at interfaces and assist in interactions between water and hydrophobic substances.
Potential formulation functions include:
PubChem classifies Sodium Decyl Sulfate under cosmetic surfactant uses and specifically identifies foaming and cleansing functions.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate can function as a cleansing surfactant in suitable cosmetic formulations.
Its amphiphilic structure allows it to interact with oily materials while maintaining interaction with the aqueous phase. This can assist the dispersion and removal of hydrophobic materials during washing.
Potential applications include:
The final cleansing characteristics depend on the complete formulation and the concentration of the surfactant.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is documented as a foaming cosmetic ingredient.
It can contribute to foam formation in appropriate aqueous surfactant systems.
Foam behavior can depend on:
Potential applications include:
Sodium Decyl Sulfate can act as a surface-active cleansing ingredient.
The hydrophobic C10 chain can interact with oily materials while the sulfate-containing portion interacts with water. This amphiphilic behavior supports the cleansing mechanism of surfactant-based formulations.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is also associated with emulsifier/surfactant applications in chemical-use databases.
In appropriate formulation systems, surface-active materials can facilitate the dispersion of different phases.
Actual emulsification performance should be determined through formulation-specific testing.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate can be evaluated as an anionic surfactant in suitable hair-cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
Formulation development may evaluate:
Sodium Decyl Sulfate can be considered for suitable rinse-off facial cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
The final formulation should be evaluated for pH, cleansing performance, foam characteristics, sensory properties and stability.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate can be evaluated for suitable body-cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
Potential personal-care applications include:
Application suitability should be established through formulation testing.
Both belong to the fatty alcohol sulfate family, but their hydrocarbon chain lengths differ.
| Parameter | Sodium Decyl Sulfate | Sodium Lauryl Sulfate |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristic Chain | C10 | C12 |
| Chain Type | Saturated | Saturated |
| Counter-Ion | Sodium | Sodium |
| Surfactant Type | Anionic | Anionic |
| Chemical Family | Fatty Alcohol Sulfate | Fatty Alcohol Sulfate |
| CAS Number | 142-87-0 | 151-21-3 |
Sodium Decyl Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate should therefore be treated as separate raw materials with separate specifications. PubChem identifies Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as C12H25NaO4S with CAS 151-21-3.
| Parameter | Sodium Decyl Sulfate | Sodium Cetyl Sulfate |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Chain | C10 | C16 |
| Chain Type | Saturated | Saturated |
| Counter-Ion | Sodium | Sodium |
| Surfactant Type | Anionic | |
| Alcohol Component | Decyl Alcohol | Cetyl Alcohol |
| Molecular Formula | C10H21NaO4S | C16H33NaO4S |
The difference in carbon-chain length can affect physical properties and formulation behavior.
| Parameter | Sodium Decyl Sulfate | Sodium Stearyl Sulfate |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Chain | C10 | C18 |
| Chain Type | Saturated | Saturated |
| Counter-Ion | Sodium | Sodium |
| Surfactant Type | Anionic | |
| Alcohol Component | Decyl Alcohol | Stearyl Alcohol |
| Molecular Formula | C10H21NaO4S | C18H37NaO4S |
Both are saturated fatty alcohol sulfates but have substantially different hydrocarbon-chain lengths.
When evaluating Sodium Decyl Sulfate, formulators may consider:
The actual acceptance criteria should be taken from the approved specification of the selected commercial grade.
A general formulation-development approach may include:
Actual processing parameters should be established according to the physical form and technical specification of the selected grade.
The solubility and dispersion behavior of Sodium Decyl Sulfate can depend on:
Formulation-specific testing is recommended before establishing final processing conditions.
The physical form of commercial Sodium Decyl Sulfate is grade-dependent.
PubChem reports an experimental physical description of liquid for a reported material, while commercial products may be supplied in different physical forms or concentrations.
Therefore, the exact appearance and physical form published on the SDP page should correspond to the actual commercial grade being supplied.
Quality-control testing may include:
Recommended storage considerations include:
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is an anionic C10 fatty alcohol sulfate used in suitable cleansing and surfactant formulations.
For commercial sourcing, manufacturers and formulators can evaluate:
When sourcing Sodium Decyl Sulfate, buyers may consider:
For bulk procurement, the required specification should be confirmed before commercial supply.
Important procurement information may include:
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is an anionic fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant used in suitable cosmetic formulations for cleansing, foaming and surface-active applications.
The INCI name is Sodium Decyl Sulfate.
The CAS number is 142-87-0.
The EC number is 205-568-5.
The molecular formula is C10H21NaO4S.
The molecular weight is 260.33 g/mol.
It is an anionic fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant.
The characteristic decyl chain contains 10 carbon atoms.
Yes. The characteristic decyl chain is saturated.
Sodium Decyl Sulfate is documented for cleansing and foaming functions and is classified as a cosmetic surfactant.
It can be evaluated for suitable rinse-off shampoo and hair-cleansing formulations.
It can be evaluated for suitable rinse-off facial cleansing formulations.
It can be evaluated for suitable rinse-off body-cleansing formulations.
No. Sodium Decyl Sulfate has a characteristic C10 chain, while Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has a C12 chain.
No. Sodium Decyl Sulfate has a C10 chain, while Sodium Cetyl Sulfate has a C16 chain.
No. Sodium Decyl Sulfate has a C10 chain, while Sodium Stearyl Sulfate has a C18 chain.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Creamy white to pale yellow |