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Ammonium Thioglycolate (ATG), identified by CAS Registry Number 5421-46-5 and Molecular Formula C2H7NO2S, serves as an essential reducing agent across industrial chemistry, personal care, leather tanning, and metal processing sectors. As the ammonium salt of thioglycolic acid, ATG delivers rapid reduction kinetics due to its active sulfhydryl (-SH) domain, making it the global standard for cleavage of disulfide bridges (cystine bonds) in keratinaceous structures and industrial oxidation reduction pathways.
| Property Parameter | Standard Specification (Cosmetic Grade) | High-Purity Industrial Grade |
|---|---|---|
| CAS Number | 5421-46-5 | 5421-46-5 |
| Active Content (Thioglycolic Acid eq.) | 50.0% – 60.0% solution | 70.0% High-Concentration Aqueous Solution |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless to light pinkish liquid | Clear to pale straw yellow transparent liquid |
| pH Value (20°C Direct) | 9.0 – 9.5 (Buffered with Free Ammonia) | 6.5 – 8.5 (Adjustable based on industrial specs) |
| Free Ammonia (as NH3) | 1.0% – 2.5% max | Trace / Controlled |
| Iron (Fe) Content | ≤ 1.0 ppm (Crucial for anti-pink oxidation) | ≤ 5.0 ppm |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5.0 ppm | ≤ 10.0 ppm |
When evaluating suppliers to buy Ammonium Thioglycolate, technical buyers must scrutinize iron ion ($Fe^{3+}$) contamination limits. Minute traces of iron react with thioglycolate ions to form a distinct pink-violet complex, severely compromising formulation aesthetic in cosmetic perm wave solutions and high-end dye products. JIMPOCHEM incorporates secondary trace-metal chelating during low-temperature synthesis to deliver ultra-pure ATG guaranteed at ≤ 1.0 ppm Fe.
The international demand for Ammonium Thioglycolate spans multiple high-value industries. Understanding how different market segments utilize CAS 5421-46-5 enables procurement teams to select the precise grade and concentration for optimized operational throughput.
In professional hair cosmetics, Ammonium Thioglycolate is the premier reducing agent for cold wave perming and chemical hair straightening products. The alkaline pH maintained by free ammonia swells the hair cuticle, allowing ATG to selectively cleave cystine disulfide bonds ($-S-S-$) into cysteine thiol groups ($-SH$). This allows mechanical reshaping of the hair matrix before neutralizing oxidation locks the new shape.
Within modern sustainable tanneries, ATG serves as an eco-conscious alternative or booster to sodium sulfide in hair-shaving and hair-dissolving operations. ATG rapidly degrades keratinous hair roots without destroying the underlying collagen skin matrix, reducing sludge toxicity and biological oxygen demand (BOD) in tannery wastewater streams.
In downstream oil and gas extraction, ATG acts as an effective iron sequestrant and reduction inhibitor in acidizing fluids. It reduces ferric iron ($Fe^{3+}$) to soluble ferrous iron ($Fe^{2+}$), preventing precipitation of iron hydroxides that clog wellbore formations and damage high-pressure drilling equipment during matrix acid treatments.
Automotive and electronics industries utilize ATG-based aqueous cleaners to dissolve micro-scale iron filings, brake dust, and metal oxides. The mercapto functional group binds specifically with transition metals, turning rust particles soluble while remaining gentle on painted surfaces and sensitive alloys.
Established in 2010, JIMPOCHEM CO., LTD is headquartered in the prestigious Chemical Industry Park of Jinan City, Shandong Province. Spanning an expansive manufacturing footprint of over 500 acres, JIMPOCHEM has evolved over 16 years of continuous innovation into a premier chemical enterprise integrating advanced research and development, large-scale automated production, global sales, and specialized technical support.
As a designated chemical service provider serving over 5,000 international companies across 200+ countries and regions in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania, we operate under rigorous quality management frameworks certified to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management).
Partnered with top-tier raw material producers, our modern Jinan production plant utilizes automated digital control systems to execute large-scale bulk synthesis alongside flexible custom order batching.
Every batch of Ammonium Thioglycolate comes with digital batch tracking. Raw material origin, real-time reactor parameters, GC/HPLC analytical reports, and retention samples are archived for complete security.
Aligning with global decarbonization goals, JIMPOCHEM incorporates advanced closed-loop vapor recovery systems and tertiary industrial effluent treatment to guarantee zero compliant discharge risk for long-term supply stability.
As consumer safety standards evolve (such as EU Cosmetics Regulation EC 1223/2009 and global green industrial standards), the market for reducing agents is shifting toward lower odor profiles, reduced skin irritation, and enhanced eco-biodegradability.
Conventional ATG solutions release volatile ammonia gas and free mercaptans. JIMPOCHEM's R&D laboratory has engineered micro-encapsulated ammonium complexes that suppress volatile odor release until activated on the target substrate.
Combining Ammonium Thioglycolate with bio-based cysteamine hydrochloride or ammonium lactate allows formulation scientists to lower overall ATG concentrations by 30% while retaining equivalent disulfide bond reduction rate.
Emerging applications in semiconductor wafer etching demand sub-ppb iron and heavy metal limits. Our pilot plant is developing ultra-pure thioglycolate fractions designed for precision electronics cleaning.
Navigating chemical importing regulations requires an authoritative partner. JIMPOCHEM provides seamless international logistics alongside complete technical and regulatory dossier packages tailored for target destination markets.
Ammonium Thioglycolate (ATG) offers superior cuticle penetration in hair applications compared to Sodium Thioglycolate due to the buffering capacity of the ammonium ion ($NH4+$) and free ammonia. The alkalinity swifter opens hair cuticles at $pH 9.0-9.5$, allowing faster reduction of cystine disulfide bonds. Additionally, ATG leaves less ionic salt residue upon rinsing, resulting in better tactile hair feeling and cleaner industrial metal rinsing profiles.
The pinkish-purple discoloration is caused by the reaction between thioglycolate ions and trace ferric iron ($Fe^{3+}$) ions present in the raw materials or storage containers. JIMPOCHEM eliminates this issue by utilizing specialized passivated glass-lined reactors, ultra-pure raw materials, and proprietary trace-metal chelating agents to ensure iron levels remain consistently below 1.0 ppm.
Ammonium Thioglycolate should be stored in opaque, UV-protected high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers at temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. Keep containers tightly sealed away from direct sunlight, strong oxidizers, and heavy metals. Under optimal sealed conditions, JIMPOCHEM ATG maintains full active concentration and specification compliance for 12 to 24 months.
Yes. As a direct manufacturer with a 500-acre intelligent production facility, JIMPOCHEM offers tailored contract manufacturing. We can supply ATG in active concentrations ranging from 40% to 70%, adjust free ammonia content, or supply unbuffered thioglycolic acid derivatives according to your exact formulation engineering parameters.
Discover additional high-purity industrial, organic, and cosmetic raw materials available directly from JIMPOCHEM.
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