Sodium Xylene Sulfonate (CAS 1300-72-7), widely known as SXS, serves as a critical anionic surfactant and hydrotrope in industrial chemical blending. Instead of functioning as a primary cleaner, SXS modifies water structure to lower surface tension at liquid interfaces. This allows formulators to push the limits of concentrated cleaning products without risking phase separation, clouding, or low-temperature crystallization.
In heavy-duty degreasers and institutional formulas, it depresses the cloud point of nonionic surfactants and boosts formulation tolerance to high electrolyte loads, such as silicates and alkalis. Crucially, SXS contributes almost zero foam, making it a staple in low-foam and CIP (Clean-in-Place) applications. Need a reliable coupling agent for your current project? Contact UET Chemical for technical material support.
| Parameter | Information |
| CAS Number | 1300-72-7 |
| EINECS Number | 215-090-9 |
| Synonyms | Xylenesulfonic acid sodium salt; Sodium dimethylbenzenesulfonate |
| Molecular Formula | C8H9NaO3S |
| Molecular Weight | 208.21 g/mol |
| Chemical Class | Alkyl aryl sulfonate / Hydrotrope |
| Mechanism of Action | Disrupts hydrogen bonding in water to solubilize hydrophobes; couples incompatible phases. |
Sodium Xylene Sulfonate Specifications
We supply SXS in two distinct physical states to match specific production line setups. Both the 40% liquid and 93% powder grades pass through our in-house QC laboratory to screen for unreacted organics and inorganic salt limits before dispatch.
| Test Item | Specification (40% Liquid) | Specification (93% Powder) |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow liquid | White crystalline powder |
| Active Matter | ≥ 40.0% | ≥ 93.0% |
| pH Value (1% aq. sol.) | 7.0 – 10.0 | 7.0 – 10.0 |
| Inorganic Salts (as Na2SO4) | ≤ 2.0% | ≤ 5.0% |
| Free Moisture | ≤ 60.0% | ≤ 3.0% |
| Color (APHA) | ≤ 100 | N/A |
Available Documentation:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- REACH Registration Certificate (upon request)
- TSE/BSE Free Declaration
Sodium Xylene Sulfonate Applications
SXS acts as the backbone for stabilizing complex liquid mixtures across multiple industrial sectors.
| Application | Typical Dosage | Function |
| Heavy-Duty Liquid Detergents | 2.0% – 10.0% | Depresses cloud point; locks surfactants and builders in a single phase. |
| I&I Cleaners (Degreasers, Strippers) | 5.0% – 15.0% | Couples nonionic surfactants into highly alkaline systems. |
| Agricultural Formulations | 1.0% – 5.0% | Solubilizes active pesticidal ingredients; maintains tank-mix stability. |
| Textile Processing | 2.0% – 5.0% | Functions as a penetrant and dye dispersant during treatment. |
Core Formulation Advantages:
- High Electrolyte Tolerance: Solubilizes organic molecules even in the presence of heavy phosphate or silicate builder loads.
- Viscosity Control: Thins out highly viscous surfactant pastes to improve pumping and pouring on the production floor.
- Cold Weather Stability: Lowers freezing points of finished goods, preventing winter transit issues.
- Zero Foam Interference: Ideal for mechanical washing and CIP systems where foam generation causes pump cavitation.
Sodium Xylene Sulfonate Storage and Stability
Proper warehouse management prevents material degradation and caking, particularly for the powder grade.
| Condition | Requirement |
| Standard Shelf Life | 24 months from the manufacturing date. |
| Temperature | Maintain between 10°C and 30°C (50°F – 86°F). |
| Humidity | Store in a dry environment (Powder grade is highly hygroscopic). |
| Light Exposure | Keep in shaded, well-ventilated areas away from direct UV. |
Stability Handling Notes:
- Winterization (Liquid): If the 40% liquid drops below 10°C during winter transit, stratification or crystallization can occur. Apply gentle indirect heat and agitate; the product will return to a clear state with zero loss in chemical performance.
- Moisture Sealing (Powder): The 93% powder rapidly pulls moisture from ambient air. Ensure drum liners are tightly zip-tied immediately after partial batching to prevent hard caking.
- Chemical Resilience: Withstands extreme pH environments (2.0 to 12.0) without breaking down.
Sodium Xylene Sulfonate Usage Guide
To maximize the coupling efficiency of SXS, integrate it into your batching process using the following sequence:
- Water Phase: Charge the mixing vessel with the target water volume.
- Hydrotrope Addition: Dose the calculated SXS into the water. Agitate until completely homogeneous. Pre-conditioning the water phase with SXS drastically improves the solubility of subsequent, harder-to-dissolve organics.
- Surfactants & Builders: Slowly introduce nonionic/anionic surfactants and inorganic builders under continuous agitation.
- Clarity Check: Adjust final pH. If the mixture remains cloudy, dose additional SXS in 0.5% increments until the liquid hits the target clarity.
| Category | Compatibility Status | Notes |
| Anionic & Nonionic Surfactants | ✅ Highly Compatible | Excellent synergy with LAS, SLES, and alcohol ethoxylates. |
| Strong Alkalis (NaOH, KOH) | ✅ Highly Compatible | Maintains structural integrity in >10% caustic solutions. |
| Strong Oxidizing Agents | 🚫 Incompatible | Do not mix directly with raw concentrated peroxides or chlorine. |
Why Source Sodium Xylene Sulfonate from UET Chemical
UET Chemical focuses strictly on the metrics that matter to procurement: consistency, compliance, and supply chain reliability.
| UET Chemical Advantage | Value to B2B Buyers |
| Factory Direct Supply | Cuts out trading company markups; secures bottom-line pricing for bulk contracts. |
| ISO 22716 GMP & REACH | Streamlines your regulatory paperwork for finished goods exported to the EU. |
| In-house QC Lab | Pre-shipment HPLC and wet chemistry testing prevents out-of-spec deliveries. |
| Flexible Batching | 1kg samples for lab formulation; 25kg to Full Container Loads (FCL) for scale-up. |
| 12-Hour Response Time | Direct access to international sales staff for rapid RFQs and document retrieval. |
Sodium Xylene Sulfonate FAQ
Q1: Should I purchase the 40% liquid or 93% powder SXS?
A: If your facility handles liquid pumping easily and formulates primarily aqueous cleaners, the 40% liquid eliminates dust and mixing time. The 93% powder is required for solid detergent formulations, or for international buyers looking to cut freight costs by not shipping water weight.
Q2: SXS vs STS (Sodium Toluene Sulfonate): Which hydrotrope fits my formula?
A: SXS generally delivers stronger coupling power for heavy nonionic surfactant loads and shows higher tolerance to aggressive alkaline builders. STS is sometimes preferred for lighter formulas. We recommend lab testing both against your specific target cloud point.
Q3: Will SXS hold up in 20% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solutions?
A: Yes. SXS is highly stable in extreme alkaline environments, which is why formulators default to it for heavy-duty oven cleaners, wax strippers, and industrial degreasers relying on high caustic levels.
Q4: Do you provide REACH documentation for EU export compliance?
A: Yes, our SXS is REACH compliant. We supply the necessary registration numbers and declarations to clients exporting finished formulations into the European Economic Area.
Q5: What is your standard FCL lead time?
A: Standard FCL orders are processed and ready for port dispatch within 10 to 15 working days following PO confirmation, subject to current vessel schedules.
Have a specific technical or regulatory question not listed here? Send our team a message.
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