Thiolactic acid is the organosulfur compound with the formula CH3CH(SH)CO2H. The molecule contains both carboxyl and thiol functional groups, −C(=O)−OH and −SH respectively. It is structurally related to lactic acid by the interchange of −SH for −OH. It is a colorless oil.

Thiolactic acid
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
2-Sulfanylpropanoic acid
Other names
2-Mercaptopropanoic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.001.097 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 201-206-5
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C3H6O2S/c1-2(6)3(4)5/h2,6H,1H3,(H,4,5)
    Key: PMNLUUOXGOOLSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • SC(C)C(O)=O
Properties
CH3CH(SH)CO2H
Molar mass 106.14 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless oil
Density 1.22 g/cm3
Melting point 10 °C (50 °F; 283 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Thiolactic acid was once widely used in hair permanent waving formulations, but has been displaced by formulations based on thioglycolic acid. Instead of using the acid itself, its salts (2-sulfanylpropanoates) are used. It is now mainly used for depilation.[1]

References

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  1. ^ T. Clausen (2006). "Hair Preparations". Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a12_571.pub2. ISBN 3527306730.