Sodium Thioglycolate Supplier South Africa

What Is Sodium Thioglycolate?

Sodium thioglycolate (sodium mercaptoacetate, STG) is the sodium salt of thioglycolic acid, containing a thiol (–SH) group and a carboxylate (–COO⁻) group. The thiol group provides its reducing and sulfur-chelation chemistry, while the carboxylate makes the compound water-soluble and stable as a salt. STG has different chemistry from conventional flotation collectors — its thiol group adsorbs on metal and sulphide surfaces, but its water solubility and dual functional groups give it both collector and depressant characteristics depending on concentration and mineral surface conditions.

Flotation and Industrial Applications

In flotation, sodium thioglycolate is used as a specialty collector for gold and silver minerals in some circuits, and more commonly as a depressant or surface modifier to prevent the flotation of certain minerals. In industrial applications, STG is a primary raw material for producing thioglycolate-based hair waving (perm) and depilatory compounds in personal care manufacturing. It is also used as a heavy metal sequestrant, in chrome tanning leather chemistry, and in the synthesis of various sulfur-containing chemical compounds.

Supply Details

Terracore Chemicals supplies sodium thioglycolate in solid form (25 kg bags) and as an aqueous solution (200 L drums). Given its thiol chemistry, appropriate storage (cool, away from oxidants) and handling (ventilated area, PPE) are required. Technical data sheets and SDS are available on request.