2-Mercaptopropionic acid

(±)-2-Mercaptopropionic acid

Propanoic acid,2-mercapto-;Propionic acid,2-mercapto-;Propionic acid,α-mercapto-;2-Mercaptopropanoic acid;α-Mercaptopropanoic acid;α-Mercaptopropionic acid;2-Mercaptopropionic acid;2-Thiolactic acid;Mercaptopropionic acid;Thiolactic acid;(±)-2-Mercaptopropionic acid;Mercaptolactic acid;2-Sulfanylpropanoic acid;71563-86-5;2018279-93-9

79-42-5

C3H6O2S

InChIKey=PMNLUUOXGOOLSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N

106.14

106.14

506218

201-206-5

2936

29309070

Reducing

38.3

0.38930

Clear colorless to slightly yellow Liquid

1.193 g/cm³ @ Temp: 19.2 °C

12 °C

102 °C @ Press: 16 Torr

190 °F

n20/D 1.481(lit.)

Micible with water.

2-8°C

1.7 hPa (20 °C)

Oral-rat LD50: 244 mg/kg; Oral-Mouse LD50: 190 mg/kg

Flammable; decomposes toxic sulfur oxide gas when heated

Soluble in water and denser than water.

Acids, Carboxylic

THIOLACTIC ACID is an organosulfide/organic acid. Organosulfides are incompatible with acids, diazo and azo compounds, halocarbons, isocyanates, aldehydes, alkali metals, nitrides, hydrides, and other strong reducing agents. Reactions with these materials generate heat and in many cases hydrogen gas. Many of these compounds may liberate hydrogen sulfide upon decomposition or reaction with an acid. Carboxylic acids donate hydrogen ions if a base is present to accept them. They react in this way with all bases, both organic (for example, the amines) and inorganic. Their reactions with bases, called "neutralizations", are accompanied by the evolution of substantial amounts of heat. Neutralization between an acid and a base produces water plus a salt. Carboxylic acids with six or fewer carbon atoms are freely or moderately soluble in water; those with more than six carbons are slightly soluble in water. Soluble carboxylic acid dissociate to an extent in water to yield hydrogen ions. The pH of solutions of carboxylic acids is therefore less than 7.0. Many insoluble carboxylic acids react rapidly with aqueous solutions containing a chemical base and dissolve as the neutralization generates a soluble salt. Carboxylic acids in aqueous solution and liquid or molten carboxylic acids can react with active metals to form gaseous hydrogen and a metal salt. Such reactions occur in principle for solid carboxylic acids as well, but are slow if the solid acid remains dry. Even "insoluble" carboxylic acids may absorb enough water from the air and dissolve sufficiently in it to corrode or dissolve iron, steel, and aluminum parts and containers. Carboxylic acids, like other acids, react with cyanide salts to generate gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The reaction is slower for dry, solid carboxylic acids. Insoluble carboxylic acids react with solutions of cyanides to cause the release of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Flammable and/or toxic gases and heat are generated by the reaction of carboxylic acids with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides. Carboxylic acids, especially in aqueous solution, also react with sulfites, nitrites, thiosulfates (to give H2S and SO3), dithionites (SO2), to generate flammable and/or toxic gases and heat. Their reaction with carbonates and bicarbonates generates a harmless gas (carbon dioxide) but still heat. Like other organic compounds, carboxylic acids can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and reduced by strong reducing agents. These reactions generate heat. A wide variety of products is possible. Like other acids, carboxylic acids may initiate polymerization reactions; like other acids, they often catalyze (increase the rate of) chemical reactions.