Thioglycolic Acid

Description

Thioglycolic acid (TGA) is an organic compound which is a thiol and a carboxylic acid. It is a clear liquid with a strong unpleasant odour. It is readily oxidized by air.
TGA was developed in the 1940s for use as a chemical depilatory and is still used as such, especially in the calcium thioglycolate salt form. TGA is the basis for the permanent wave solution, ammonium thioglycolate, a non-volatile salt of thioglycolic acid that does not have the pungent odour or TGA. It is also used in a wide variety of applications including the making of polyvinyl chloride and leather processing. TGA has the ability to break down the disulfide bonds in the cortex of hair to either rearrange (perm) or to help break down the hair shaft entirely (depilate), its primary purpose.
TGA is also a sensitive reagent for the detection of iron, molybdenum, silver and tin.

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