HOOCCH2SH
HOOCCH2SH, commonly known as thioglycolic acid or 2-mercaptoacetic acid, is an organosulfur compound consisting of a carboxyl group and a thiol group on adjacent carbon atoms. Its molecular formula is C2H4O2S, and its molecular weight is approximately 92.12 g/mol. The molecule is a small, colorless liquid with a characteristic strong, thiol-like odor. It is miscible with water and many common organic solvents. The carboxyl group provides acidic character (pKa around 2.6 for the carboxyl), while the thiol group has a higher pKa near 10, allowing deprotonation under basic conditions.
Thioglycolic acid is used as a reducing agent in various chemical and cosmetic applications, most notably in
Chemically, the compound can undergo oxidation to form disulfides, giving a dimeric product in which two mercaptoacetyl
Safety considerations include potential irritation to skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract, and odor detection can