ContaminantDB: Sodium lauryl sulfate

Identification Taxonomy Biological Properties Physical Properties Toxicity Profile Spectra Concentrations Links References Targets (14)XML

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation Date

2009-11-28 02:08:54 UTC

Update Date

2026-05-14 16:49:42 UTC

Accession Number

CHEM002602

Identification

Common Name

Sodium lauryl sulfate

Class

Small Molecule

Description

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an anionic surfactant used in many cleaning and hygiene products. It is naturally derived from coconut and/or palm kernel oil. It usually consisting of a mixture of sodium alkyl sulfates, mainly the lauryl. SLS lowers surface tension of aqueous solutions and is used as fat emulsifier, wetting agent, and detergent in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and toothpastes. It is also used in creams and pastes to properly disperse the ingredients and as research tool in protein biochemistry. SLS also has some microbicidal activity. The molecule has a tail of 12 carbon atoms, attached to a sulfate group, giving the molecule the amphiphilic properties required of a detergent. SLS is a highly effective surfactant used in any task requiring the removal of oily stains and residues. As such the compound is found in high concentrations in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. In household products, SLS is used in lower concentrations with toothpastes, shampoos, and shaving foams. It is an important component in bubble bath formulations for its thickening effect and its ability to create a lather. SLS may irritate the skin and eyes. (13)

Contaminant Sources

EAFUS Chemicals
FooDB Chemicals
HPV EPA Chemicals
OECD HPV Chemicals
T3DB toxins
ToxCast & Tox21 Chemicals

Contaminant Type

Cosmetic Toxin
Drug
Ester
Food Toxin
Household Toxin
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Lachrymator
Organic Compound
Plant Toxin
Surface-Active Agent
Synthetic Compound

Chemical Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Value	Source
SDS	ChEBI
SLS	ChEBI
Sodium dodecyl sulphate	ChEBI
Sodium dodecylsulfate	ChEBI
Sodium lauryl sulphate	ChEBI
Sodium dodecyl sulfate	Kegg
Sodium dodecyl sulfuric acid	Generator
Sodium dodecyl sulphuric acid	Generator
Sodium dodecylsulfuric acid	Generator
Sodium dodecylsulphate	Generator
Sodium dodecylsulphuric acid	Generator
Sodium lauryl sulfuric acid	Generator
Sodium lauryl sulphuric acid	Generator
Irium	MeSH
Lauryl sulfate, sodium	MeSH
Sulfate, sodium lauryl	MeSH
Dodecyl sulfate, sodium	MeSH
Sulfate, sodium dodecyl	MeSH

Chemical Formula

C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S

Average Molecular Mass

288.379 g/mol

Monoisotopic Mass

288.137 g/mol

CAS Registry Number

151-21-3

IUPAC Name

sodium dodecyl sulfate

Traditional Name

sodium dodecyl sulfate

SMILES

[Na+].CCCCCCCCCCCCOS([O-])(=O)=O

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/C12H26O4S.Na/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-16-17(13,14)15;/h2-12H2,1H3,(H,13,14,15);/q;+1/p-1

InChI Key

DBMJMQXJHONAFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sulfuric acid monoesters. These are organic compounds containing the sulfuric acid monoester functional group, with the generic structure ROS(O)(=O)=O, (R=organyl group).

Kingdom

Organic compounds

Super Class

Organic acids and derivatives

Class

Organic sulfuric acids and derivatives

Sub Class

Sulfuric acid esters

Direct Parent

Sulfuric acid monoesters

Alternative Parents

Substituents

Alkyl sulfate
Sulfate-ester
Sulfuric acid monoester
Organic alkali metal salt
Organic oxygen compound
Organic oxide
Hydrocarbon derivative
Organic sodium salt
Organic salt
Organooxygen compound
Aliphatic acyclic compound

Molecular Framework

Aliphatic acyclic compounds

External Descriptors

alkyl sulfate (CHEBI:8984 )

Biological Properties

Status

Detected and Not Quantified

Origin

Exogenous

Cellular Locations

Membrane

Biofluid Locations

Not Available

Tissue Locations

Not Available

Pathways

Not Available

Applications

Biological Roles

Not Available

Chemical Roles

detergent

Physical Properties

State

Solid

Appearance

White powder.

Experimental Properties

Property	Value
Melting Point	205.5°C
Boiling Point	Not Available
Solubility	1E+005 mg/L

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
Water Solubility	0.012 g/L	ALOGPS
logP	3.86	ALOGPS
logP	4.42	ChemAxon
logS	-4.4	ALOGPS
pKa (Strongest Acidic)	-1.5	ChemAxon
Physiological Charge	-1	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	3	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area	66.43 Å²	ChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count	12	ChemAxon
Refractivity	67.81 m³·mol⁻¹	ChemAxon
Polarizability	31.17 Å³	ChemAxon
Number of Rings	0	ChemAxon
Bioavailability	1	ChemAxon
Rule of Five	Yes	ChemAxon
Ghose Filter	Yes	ChemAxon
Veber's Rule	No	ChemAxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	ChemAxon

Spectra

Spectrum Type	Description	Splash Key	View
Predicted GC-MS	Predicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (Non-derivatized) - 70eV, Positive	splash10-070g-7930000000-112a35183d2ba1b6ef5c	Spectrum
LC-MS/MS	LC-MS/MS Spectrum - Quattro_QQQ 10V, Positive (Annotated)	splash10-000i-0090000000-12b55f58de196159b535	Spectrum
LC-MS/MS	LC-MS/MS Spectrum - Quattro_QQQ 25V, Positive (Annotated)	splash10-00di-9000000000-55a0d8975342d4745eee	Spectrum
LC-MS/MS	LC-MS/MS Spectrum - Quattro_QQQ 40V, Positive (Annotated)	splash10-00di-9000000000-55a0d8975342d4745eee	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positive	splash10-000i-1940000000-94b9e506e5597ccf8b74	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positive	splash10-014l-4900000000-1642b024e5c3071571fd	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positive	splash10-052g-9700000000-4438a3c78dc9e50e9116	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negative	splash10-000i-0090000000-c3eba39e0193d936fd32	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negative	splash10-0019-7390000000-033056a3eb10f6c1a5ba	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negative	splash10-001i-9100000000-e35f9421417f46956df2	Spectrum
1D NMR	1H NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum
1D NMR	13C NMR Spectrum	Not Available	Spectrum

Toxicity Profile

Route of Exposure

Oral (3) ; inhalation (3) ; dermal (11)

Mechanism of Toxicity

While sodium lauryl sulfate itself is not toxic, it is a nitrosating agent. Nitrosating agents may decompose and/or react to cause nitrosamine contamination. Nitrosamines are produced from secondary amines and amides in the presence of nitrite ions and are believed to be carcinogenic. Once in the body, nitrosamines are activated by cytochrome P-450 enzymes. They are then believed to induce their carcinogenic effects by forming DNA adducts at the N- and O-atoms. (11, 12, 1, 2, 3)

Metabolism

Nitrosamines can enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact. Once in the body, nitrosamines are metabolized by cytochrome P-450 enzymes, which essentially activates them into carcinogens. (1, 2)

Toxicity Values

LD50: 1288 mg/kg (Oral, Rat) (14) LD50: 210 mg/kg (Intraperitoneal, Rat) (14) LD50: 118 mg/kg (Intravenous, Rat) (14)

Lethal Dose

Not Available

Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)

Not listed by IARC. Certain nitrosamines are classified by IARC as either probably or possibly carcinogenic to humans (Groups 2A and 2B, respectively). (10)

Uses/Sources

SLS is a highly effective surfactant used in any task requiring the removal of oily stains and residues. As such the compound is found in high concentrations in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. In household products, SLS is used in lower concentrations with toothpastes, shampoos, and shaving foams. It is an important component in bubble bath formulations for its thickening effect and its ability to create a lather. SLS may irritate the skin and eyes. (13)

Minimum Risk Level

Not Available

Health Effects

SLS can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as canker sores when used in toothpasete. SLS may also react to produce nitrosamines, which are believed to be carcinogenic. (12, 13)

Symptoms

SLS can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as canker sores when used in toothpasete. (13)

Treatment

Not Available

Concentrations

Not Available

External Links

DrugBank ID

DB00815

HMDB ID

Not Available

FooDB ID

Not Available

Phenol Explorer ID

Not Available

KNApSAcK ID

Not Available

BiGG ID

Not Available

BioCyc ID

Not Available

METLIN ID

Not Available

PDB ID

Not Available

Wikipedia Link

Sodium dodecyl sulfate

Chemspider ID

Not Available

ChEBI ID

8984

PubChem Compound ID

9028

Kegg Compound ID

C11166

YMDB ID

Not Available

ECMDB ID

Not Available

References

Synthesis Reference

Willi Breitzke, Hermann Hensen, “Aqueous preparations of sodium lauryl sulfate and myristyl sulfate having a low cloud point useful in making toothpastes.” U.S. Patent US4876035, issued June, 1960.

MSDS

Not Available

General References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=29079364

Sodium lauryl sulfate (CHEM002602)

Structure for CHEM002602: Sodium lauryl sulfate