Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S

IUPAC: Sodium dodecyl sulfate

CAS: 151-21-3

Overview

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is one of the most widely used anionic surfactants. It creates the foamy lather in toothpaste, shampoo, and soap. In biochemistry, it is used in SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis to denature proteins and give them uniform charge.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 25 1.0080
Carbon C 12 12.0110
Oxygen O 4 15.9990
Sodium Na 1 22.9900
Sulfur S 1 32.0600

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×25
8.7%
C
Carbon ×12
50.0%
O
Oxygen ×4
22.2%
Na
Sodium ×1
8.0%
S
Sulfur ×1
11.1%

Uses

  • • Shampoo and body wash foaming agent
  • • Toothpaste surfactant
  • • SDS-PAGE protein electrophoresis
  • • Industrial cleaning

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Every biochemistry student has used SDS-PAGE, which separates proteins by size using this surfactant

Safety

  • ⚠ Skin and eye irritant
  • ⚠ Can cause mouth ulcers in toothpaste for some people
  • ⚠ Not toxic at typical use concentrations

Structure

SMILES

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

Properties

Type
salt
State
solid
Molar Mass
288.37 g/mol
Density
1.0100 g/cm³
Melting Point
206.0 °C
Solubility
150 g/L at 20°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
288.1371
TPSA
74.8 Ų
H-Bond Donors
0
H-Bond Acceptors
4
Rotatable Bonds
12
Heavy Atoms
18
Complexity
249.0

Also Known As

SLS SDS Sodium dodecyl sulfate

Related Compounds

Ammonium Bicarbonate

NH₄HCO₃

Ammonium Chloride

NH₄Cl

Ammonium Sulfate

(NH₄)₂SO₄

Barium Carbonate

BaCO₃

Barium Chloride

BaCl₂

Barium Sulfate

BaSO₄

Cadmium Sulfide

CdS

Calcium Acetate

Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO₃

Calcium Citrate

Ca₃(C₆H₅O₇)₂

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S) is a salt compound with the IUPAC name Sodium dodecyl sulfate.
What is the molecular weight of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has a molar mass of 288.372 g/mol.
What state is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate at room temperature?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a solid at room temperature.
Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate organic or inorganic?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is classified as an inorganic compound.
What elements make up Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), Sodium (Na), Sulfur (S).