Thioglycerol is a water-miscible, hygroscopic liquid that remains stable over the pH range 3.5–7.0 but decomposes in alkaline media. The compound is valued for four main end-uses:
Pharmaceutical & cosmetic antioxidant – Employed at 0.02–0.1 % w/w in nasal drops, creams and lotions to protect active ingredients against oxidative degradation; listed in USP and EP excipient inventories .
Polymer & acrylic fibre processing – Acts as a redox-triggered chain-transfer agent to control molar mass and polydispersity of super-absorbent resins and acrylic fibres; also serves as a sulfur-containing co-monomer for improved dye-uptake .
Nanomaterial & biosurface functionalisation – Forms self-assembled monolayers on gold or silver surfaces, providing a hydroxyl-rich interface for subsequent “click” or esterification reactions in biosensors and lab-on-a-chip devices .
Chemical intermediate – Quantitatively esterified with (meth)acrylic acid to give mercapto-esters used as odor-free thiol cross-linkers in UV-curable inks, optical adhesives and 3-D printing resins .
Store under nitrogen at 2–8 °C; the product is air-sensitive and slowly oxidises to the disulfide. It is harmful if swallowed (rat oral LD₅₀ 645 mg kg⁻¹) and is irritating to skin and eyes; handle with gloves and local exhaust ventilation .
