Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, often shortened to CMC or Na-CMC, goes back nearly a century. Chemists started turning to cellulose modifications as a solution for troublesome rheology in liquid formulations during times of material shortages and pharmaceutical advances. Interest picked up steam during the mid-1900s, with researchers seeing promise in how carboxymethyl groups, grafted onto a cellulose backbone, could bring about water solubility, thickening, and suspension abilities that natural cellulose simply couldn’t provide. Early work focused on food, but as purification steps improved, the pharmaceutical industry invested heavily in quality CMC, looking for excipients that mixed repeatable performance with safety. Over time, three main pharmacopoeias defined what meets their exacting standards: BP (British Pharmacopoeia), EP (European Pharmacopoeia), and USP (United States Pharmacopeia). The grades developed in concert with pharmaceutical needs — targeting consistent viscosity, defined substitution levels, and reliable purity — because real-world medicines can’t run on guesswork or cheap substitutes.
Low substitution CMC means the average number of carboxymethyl groups attached per glucose unit in the cellulose chain stays close to 0.6–0.9, right under the threshold where gelling and rapid swelling become unpredictable. My time working with tableting labs has shown how crucial predictability is. This sodium salt presents as a white-to-off-white, odorless, granular or fibrous powder. The feel between the fingertips, a faint greasiness, sets it apart from regular cellulose. BP, EP, and USP standards keep a close eye on very specific properties — like pH range in solution and a low content of harmful elements such as arsenic — since drugs using low-substitution CMC treat delicate patient groups. Since CMC disperses quickly in water without forming stubborn clumps, it blends smoothly in most mixing setups. As a stabilizer, it steps in where gums or plain cellulose fall short, whether by suspending insoluble particles in syrups or keeping moisture in topical creams.
CMC with low substitution remains easily dispersed in cold water, yielding a clear to slightly hazy viscous solution. Water solubility depends on both the substitution level and the molecular weight: lower substitution supports better film formation and less electrolyte tolerance, yet maintains high water-binding capacity. The Ash content, a measure of inorganic residue after burning, sticks below 10% according to pharmacopoeia standards, with sodium making up most of this content. The viscosity of a 1% solution lies somewhere between 10 and 2000 mPa.s at 25°C, giving formulators a wide range to pick what matches their process. Good flow and compressibility benefit the production of tablets and granules. Chemically, the sodium carboxymethyl groups, spread along the linear cellulose, offer plenty of sites for hydrogen bonding with water, so solutions resist separation. From personal experience, measuring the free sodium glycolate content confirms how much the manufacturing process has impacted the final excipient quality, important because glycolate acts as an irritant in high doses.
Pharmacopoeia grade CMC gets subjected to tight specification limits—appearance, identification by IR or UV, viscosity at defined concentrations, pH in aqueous solution, loss on drying, sodium content, methoxyl or carboxymethyl content, and the all-important levels of toxic impurities. Batch labels spell out lot number and expiry date, as most manufacturers refuse to ship without full traceability from cellulose feedstock. GMP-compliant plants stamp certificates of analysis with microbial counts, since pharmaceutical excipients demand low bioburden. Heavy metals, ethanol residue, and ether limits reflect the ongoing push for safer, greener excipients. Packing uses double-lined PE bags or fiber drums, always with inner liners to avoid airborne moisture, and labels warn about retaining the excipient in a sealed container. Every batch destined for Europe, the U.S., or the UK passes both local and global pharmacopeia checks, tracing every critical parameter for inspection.
Industrial production starts from refined wood pulp or cotton linters, ground to a fine consistency before mixing with a controlled amount of alkali, most often sodium hydroxide, to activate the cellulose. From there, monochloroacetic acid or sodium monochloroacetate gradually reacts at moderate temperatures, attaching the carboxymethyl groups. Extraction, filtration, repeated washing, and drying follow—carefully controlling pH and time so maximum substitution doesn’t overshoot set targets. In multiple pilot plants I’ve toured, process control emphasized the removal of residual sodium chloride, glycolate byproducts, and unreacted monochloroacetate, since these could all compromise either patient safety or tableting consistency. Dried, milled, and classified CMC then passes through particle size checks, with the lower substitution grades using less aggressive caustic and ether doses to maintain the right property mix.
Low substitution CMC stands as a prime candidate for additional modification. The carboxymethyl groups, already installed, leave open the option of further crosslinking—sometimes through heat treatment or ion-exchange with divalent cations, tuning gel strength or insolubility. In the lab, I’ve added calcium salts and watched the previously soluble CMC shift toward an insoluble matrix, useful in some slow-release drug tablets. Chemical conjugation with active pharmaceutical ingredients doesn’t happen often, but the high density of carboxyl moieties brings about possibilities: attaching enzymes, polymers, or even silver ions for antimicrobial properties in wound dressings. Hydrolysis, under acidic or enzymatic attack, returns the CMC closer to its parent cellulose form, which explains its partial biodegradability. Each tweak to the substitution pattern or molecular weight changes both final product performance and regulatory outlook, so every chemistry lab behind a reputable supplier runs batch analytics before letting anything go out the door.
Throughout pharmaceutical and chemical catalogs, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose also appears as Cellulose Gum, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, and sometimes just CMC-Na. Other trade names pile up depending on regional manufacturer: some call it Tylose or Blanose, others speak of Hercules CMC or Aqualon CMC. Labels differ little in the chemistry behind them; differences largely involve particle fineness, substitution level, and special purification (like extra ethanol washing). Experienced R&D departments learn what each code or batch identifier means for their process, as terminology sometimes mixes food- and pharma-grade variants. The most reliable suppliers link every product name back to a Certificate of Suitability, making global supply less of a gamble for critical pharmaceuticals.
Most global health authorities recognize pharmaceutical-grade low-substitution CMC as non-toxic, non-allergenic, and non-carcinogenic, provided it meets the strict impurity profiles. Workers in manufacturing keep equipment ventilated and wear masks to avoid dust inhalation; CMC powders can become irritating to nasal passages with repeated exposure, and bag opening generates dust clouds in high humidity. From decades spent near granulation and mixing rooms, clear labeling and labeled spill protocols curb nearly every problem. GMP standards stress validated cleaning to keep out cross-contaminants and water vapor, since CMC loves to take up moisture from the air and can clump or degrade if mishandled. Pharmacopeia safety audits insist on documentation tracing every production stage, preventing supply chain contamination and confirming the absence of banned process solvents. End users appreciate the strict oversight, as patients in need of tailored medication stare down enough uncertainty without lax excipient controls.
Pharmaceutical companies draw on low substitution CMC in a wide range of dosage forms: oral solutions, liquid suspensions, topical gels, and controlled-release tablets. In film coatings, it acts both as binder and swelling agent, making sure tablets don’t crumble in bottles or clump together during shipping. Oral rehydration and electrolyte drinks gain stability and texture, especially when the CMC keeps suspended particles from settling. In my own work with compounding pharmacies, we’ve leaned on CMC as a suspending agent in pediatric and geriatric formulas, where taste, mouthfeel, and shelf-life require steady rheology. Gels for wound care bandages use CMC for moisture retention and film formation, while ophthalmic drops benefit from its lubricating action. Dry powder inhaler formulations, where flow and agglomerate control hurt dose accuracy, often feature highly purified CMC as a carrier. Each setting demands reliable viscosity, microbial stability, and chemical compatibility — qualities that keep CMC in pharmacy procurement lists the world over.
R&D in pharmaceutical applications for CMC keeps exploring modification and blending with other polymers. Some teams use cross-linked CMC to develop newer controlled-release tablets or combine it with polymers like HPMC for layered film coatings. In the search for sustainable alternatives, labs investigate CMC sourced from unconventional feedstocks such as agricultural waste — a topic that has grown with supply chain and sustainability concerns after recent raw material shortages worldwide. Rheological studies fill chemistry journals, with focus on the effect of molecular weight and substitution levels on dispersibility under variable electrolytes and pH. In my collaborations with university labs, the push toward nanoformulations has even included CMC derivatives as nanoparticle stabilizers or drug carriers. Ongoing research looks at how enzymatic modifications, guided by greener catalysis and stricter regulatory environments, can produce low-substitution CMC with more tailored properties while cutting down on process waste.
Modern toxicology reviews confirm that pharmaceutical-grade CMC shows extremely low toxicity by all tested routes. Acute oral doses in animal models barely reach a threshold for mild gastrointestinal discomfort unless administered in impractically high quantities. Chronic exposure studies, dating back to mid-century, established lack of carcinogenic or mutagenic risk, matching my own experience seeing its safe use in pediatric and immunocompromised formulations. Concerns over residual byproducts like monochloroacetic acid, sodium glycolate, or heavy metals pushed regulatory limits lower over the past two decades. In-house and published studies pay special attention to vulnerable populations, confirming that absorption from the GI tract remains minimal and the bulk of the compound is excreted unchanged. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA stress supplier traceability and batch-to-batch uniformity because histories of contamination or process deviation cause far more trouble than the basic polymer itself.
Demands for cleaner, greener, and more functional excipients push CMC development into new territory. Researchers aim to engineer lower-carbon manufacturing, reducing residual organics and water use from the traditional synthetic route. Biotechnological routes, like using enzymatic carboxymethylation rather than aggressive chemical conditions, garner more attention as regulations tighten. The growing push for personalized medicine and patient-friendly formats needs excipients that perform the same every time while supporting high-dose or sensitive active ingredients. My work with advanced therapy labs signals a rising interest in CMC for tissue scaffolds and medical devices, spurred by its natural origin and inherent biocompatibility. Digital tracking of lots, smart packaging to reduce spoilage, and blending with novel biopolymers keep CMC relevant in the future of both generic and advanced pharmaceuticals. While newer materials will keep popping up in technical literature, the practical value and safety record of low substitution CMC will always hold strong appeal for medicine, where reliability means everything.
Walk into any pharmaceutical plant or lab and you’ll see certain materials popping up more often than others. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) falls into this category. It’s a cellulose derivative, and the term “low substitution” points to the number of carboxymethyl groups replacing the hydrogen atoms along the cellulose chain. Lower levels here mean a product that behaves differently in water and with active drug ingredients.
Through years working next to pharmacists and researchers, I noticed the value of tweaking substitution levels. When CMC carries fewer carboxymethyl groups, it doesn’t dissolve in water as easily as high-substitution versions. Instead, it swells and thickens the mixture. Sometimes you don’t want your excipient to vanish. In some formulations, a more persistent, slower-dissolving cellulose holds tablets together until they hit the stomach. It means the pill holds up longer on the production line and when it’s in a bottle on a humid day.
Low-substitution CMC keeps its place in tablet binders and disintegrants. Not every drug can handle a fast-breaking tablet. Some drugs, especially those sensitive to stomach acid or meant for controlled release, work better with a matrix that resists water for a while. Medication for chronic pain, antibiotics, and supplements with time-release coatings all benefit from this property.
Another place this version shows up: eye drops. Eyes can’t handle big swings in viscosity. Low-substitution CMC offers just enough thickness to keep medicine distributed evenly across the eye, preventing that runny-drop effect that causes wasted doses and reduced absorption.
During one project, we faced a classic problem. A vitamin tablet kept breaking apart before making it to its packaging. Increasing low-substitution CMC content solved the issue by creating a stronger matrix that withstood vibration and mild humidity. According to peer-reviewed studies published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, low DS (degree of substitution) forms create stronger hydrogen bonds with drug particles and other excipients. This binding leads to firmer tablets and less dust during manufacturing.
Beyond product protection, patient experience guides most of my thinking. Unreliable or “soft” tablets can encourage people to abandon medication early, leading to major health setbacks. Tablets that shed dust or disintegrate too soon risk giving the wrong dose or irritating the stomach lining.
Some teams rely purely on lab data to choose an excipient. From what I’ve seen, blending experience from the production line with those test results leads to better outcomes. Balancing low-substitution CMC with microcrystalline cellulose, for example, can fine-tune a tablet’s breakdown time. This isn’t just theory; factories in different climates have to adjust their recipes all the time to keep tablets stable. Regular feedback loops between packaging, quality assurance, and formulators catch subtle failures early.
Clean labeling is gaining momentum. Low-substitution CMC holds an advantage. It’s naturally derived, carries a lower risk profile than synthetic polymers, and has an established history with regulators. More companies are investigating supply chains and requiring transparency about cellulose sources, spinning that traceability into marketing points on new containers.
Low-substitution sodium CMC serves a niche in pharmaceutical development. Its physical properties help solve problems that show up only under real-world conditions. Relying on smart, grounded input from production staff, clinical researchers, and patients produces better products—and that’s what keeps people taking their medicine day after day.
Low substitution grade sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) stands out in the world of pharmaceutical excipients. It’s often used as a thickener, stabilizer, or binder, turning up in tablets, suspensions, and even some topical gels. I’ve seen this ingredient earn its stripes in both big production plants and small compounding labs. Its versatility makes it worth understanding down to the details laid out by international pharmacopeias. If you want quality and safety, these specs keep manufacturers on the right track.
The British Pharmacopoeia doesn't gloss over purity. For sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, BP expects clarity about the level of substitution (measured as degree of substitution, usually between 0.2 to 0.4 for low grades). Sodium content pops up as another checkpoint—typically, BP wants to see sodium oxide below 12 percent. Loss on drying must stay under 10 percent, and heavy metals have their own strict limits, commonly not higher than 20 ppm. Microbial counts are checked, because bacteria or molds shouldn't hitch a ride in anyone's product. I’ve worked with BP specs, and they’re particularly strict about verifying absence of bacteria like salmonella or E. coli, a non-negotiable for drugs meant for people with fragile health.
EP specs mirror many BP requirements, though you can spot some unique touches. Degree of substitution still ranges from roughly 0.2–0.4. EP marks boundaries for sodium (as Na2O), limits chloride and sulfate even lower, and demands standard viscosity in a 1% solution—usually, less than 400 cps for low substitution CMC. Ash values face tough screening, so mineral contamination doesn’t sneak through. I appreciate how EP checks for ethanol-soluble impurities; that stops manufacturers from sneaking in process shortcuts. This level of vigilance matters, because too many corners cut on excipients used in pills or suspensions can undermine a patient’s recovery or even cause harm.
USP wades in with its own take. The degree of substitution hangs around 0.2–0.3 for low block grades. USP expects sodium (measured as Na2O) between 6.5% and 12.0%. There’s an emphasis on loss on drying (not over 10%), pH (usually 6.5–8.5 in 1% solution), and heavy metals kept below 10 ppm. USP digs deep into viscosity checks, confirming the product’s behavior in water and its ability to form gels or stabilize suspensions. The monograph also tackles identity: there’s a physical reaction required (precipitation or color change), along with infrared absorption to verify it’s really CMC, not some cheap filler or adulterant.
I’ve talked to pharmacists who trust these pharmacopeial specs because they’re built on a history of incidents, recalls, and research into what works safely. CMC in a nasal spray or eye drop isn’t just about thickening. It has to break down consistently and behave reliably in contact with tissues. It’s not just about ticking a regulatory box; it’s about making sure a child with Crohn’s or an elderly person with dry mouth gets exactly what their doctor ordered, every time.
The push for explicit, testable standards isn’t just bureaucracy. Without them, whole batches could go to waste, or worse, end up harming patients. The pharmaceutical world has seen what happens with weak standards: unpredictable medicine, inconsistent effects, and recalls that rattle public confidence. Low substitution grade CMC looks humble on an ingredient list, but the rules shaping its quality translate directly into trust at the bedside.
Cleaner supply chains, more transparent audits, and better cooperation among global regulators can plug gaps that still exist in raw material quality. Stronger partnerships with reputable suppliers cut down on impurities and cross-contamination. Training local staff to recognize what quality looks like, not just what paperwork says, keeps standards high in real life. People making daily use of medicines don’t see the raw powder, but they rely on everyone along the way doing their job right. That’s where specs set by BP, EP, and USP make a visible difference.
Low substitution sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) does more than thicken a formula. As someone who has worked with a range of excipients in pharma labs, I’ve seen how low substitution grades quietly handle the technical challenges that come up making tablets, suspensions, and topical applications. CMC-Na steps up as a binder, stabilizer, and thickener with a track record that stretches back decades.
Solid dosage forms rely on binders to keep everything together. Low substitution CMC-Na shines as a binder because of its ability to bring powder particles together and provide mechanical strength to final tablets. In practice, this means granules aren’t crumbling at every stage of production or breaking apart from minor jolts. That consistency is crucial for both large-scale output and the predictability of active ingredient distribution. Over the years, this grade has found a place among basic binders like starch and microcrystalline cellulose whenever a slightly sticky but not too gummy result is needed. Patients get pills that withstand handling while breaking down quickly once swallowed, letting medicine do its job faster.
Liquid oral medicines—think antacids or pediatric antibiotics—call for something that keeps powders or crystals from settling at the bottom of the bottle. Low substitution CMC-Na manages to keep things floating in suspension without turning the liquid into a gel or giving it an unpleasant mouthfeel. This matters for kids’ medicines, where taste and texture affect whether doses get taken. Doctors and pharmacists know that sedimentation leads to uneven dosing, so anything improving suspension stability makes treatment safer and more reliable. The food-grade safety profile gives manufacturers and patients peace of mind, as CMC-Na has an established history in both the food and pharmaceutical spaces.
Topical products rely on smooth, spreadable bases. Low substitution CMC-Na gives creams and gels that satisfying texture people expect from skin applications. It swells in water, holding enough moisture to keep the formula fresh, but doesn’t draw away so much water that it dries things out. For those of us who have developed or tested topical NSAIDs or corticosteroids, a base that doesn’t interact chemically with other ingredients prevents headaches during development. CMC-Na’s ability to blend into hydrophilic or hydrophobic systems lets formulators meet a wide range of product specs. That adaptability cuts down development time and keeps supply chains efficient, both big wins for manufacturers.
Low substitution grades of CMC-Na offer unique benefits compared to higher substitution versions. Their lower level of substitution lets them form stronger gels and binders, which is essential in moisture-rich environments where higher substitution grades might dissolve too quickly or fail to hold things together. Formulation scientists often look for these subtle differences to fine-tune release profiles or improve stability.
Some concerns emerge about sourcing or batch variability, especially as more companies move supply chains globally. Consistent quality, clear documentation, and regular performance testing go a long way toward solving these worries. Suppliers who work closely with pharma clients—sharing data, tweaking processes, investing in better quality oversight—can avoid most of the headaches that crop up with off-spec batches. Plain-speaking, well-documented standards for CMC-Na keep processes running and patients healthy.
Pharmaceutical ingredients end up in products people rely on to stay healthy—or stay alive. Skipping corners isn’t just risky, it could end in tragedy. Over the years spent in labs and with manufacturing teams, I’ve seen how dozens of checks catch small mistakes before they snowball. This conviction keeps the focus sharp: no step gets skipped, and every lot gets challenged from the moment it arrives until it ships out the door.
Every batch demands confirmation before moving forward. Infrared spectroscopy and HPLC fingerprinting come first; the spectra need to match the reference. Color reactions and spot tests go deeper. Small visual differences sometimes appear—trained eyes never dismiss anything out of place. Real material identity matches down to the fine print. Counterfeit or adulterated goods would slip in otherwise.
No shortcut replaces raw purity checks. Labs scrutinize for heavy metals—lead, mercury, arsenic—using atomic absorption or ICP-MS. Residual solvents face a strict upper limit, with gas chromatography setting the facts straight. Even microbial load comes under the scope. The goal is simple: Anyone swallowing a final product does not get toxins at the same time. Each manufacturer’s record comes under review, and suppliers who fail to meet the mark lose trust pretty quickly.
Assay results tell the story of what’s inside. Titration, HPLC, or UV-visible measurements reveal the percentage of active ingredient. I remember times a batch looked just like the last, but fell short by a few percent. It takes discipline to reject lots that almost make the grade. Yet, those decisions protect sick patients whose doses can’t drop by even a small margin. There’s no leeway here: the exact number matters, not the look or the smell.
Some think only chemistry counts, but physical surprises can derail a product faster than a chemical impurity. Poor flow clogs tablet presses. Caking means lost inventory. Methods like tap density, sieve analysis, loss on drying, and compressibility give early warnings. In large-scale runs, operators look at powders for clumping or dustiness. They know problems there spill into every finished tablet or capsule. Small issues multiply quickly in fast-paced production.
Accelerated stress tests show if a material will stay good on pharmacy shelves for months or years. I’ve spent weeks watching samples in humidity or heat chambers, pulling them out every so often for more checks. On a few occasions, unexpected color changes or new spots in the chromatography meant a whole shipment got shelved. Expiry dates must rest on real science, not wishful thinking or guesswork. Every drug company’s quality story relies on trust born from evidence like this.
Every test from raw powder to finished product means something bigger—a broken step can harm real people. Investing in well-trained people and regular equipment calibration builds a culture that spots problems before anyone gets hurt. Auditing suppliers, demanding traceable certificates, and encouraging whistleblowers keep bad actors out. Paper trails back up every test, every retest, and every rejected drum. In this business, details save lives and close calls prove the rules matter. Facts, evidence, and courage to act make all the difference.
Safety sits right at the center of handling raw materials. I’ve stood in many labs and watched folks rush into new combinations, eager to develop novel products, but this never gets easier if people forget about the basics. Every ingredient, no matter how popular, carries its unique quirks. Sometimes, you discover issues only after something goes wrong. Accidentally inhaling a fine powder or spilling a caustic component teaches fast. According to OSHA, over 190,000 illnesses each year in the U.S. stem from chemical contact at work. That number isn’t just big; it’s personal for anyone who’s had to file an incident report. Wearing the right gloves, goggles, and masks isn’t only box-ticking — it keeps hands, lungs, and eyes out of harm’s way. Reading the material’s safety data sheet before pouring anything into a mix helps spot red flags early.
I once stored a drum of raw material in a sunlit warehouse corner, only to come back the next day to a swelling drum lid. Turns out, this ingredient hated light and heat, and nearly exploded from internal pressure. The lesson stuck. Storage isn’t just about tossing pails onto a shelf. Temperature, humidity, and exposure to air can turn a safe compound into a ticking hazard. In food and pharmaceutical work, a lapse in storage can spoil a batch or cause cross-contamination. Regulators, like the FDA and EPA, keep close tabs, because unsafe storage leads to real harm. Locking up flammable, volatile, or toxic materials in the right spot — away from sun, heat sources, or water leaks — protects more than product quality. It keeps people safe on the job.
Not every ingredient wants to play nice together. Some react, discolor, or break down faster than expected. If I mix a strong acid with an amine-based compound, fumes and heat can hit fast. Sometimes, fresh fragrances degrade when paired with strong preservatives or antioxidants, turning a promising formula into a failed test. The worst part is wasting weeks of work or losing money buying incompatible stock. Ingredients carry history — one batch may have stabilizers or impurities, the next may not. Even simple salts or surfactants clash, causing cloudy solutions or separating layers. Keeping good records and running small-scale tests prevents bigger problems down the line. Many labs also check published research, peer review, or safety warnings before trying anything new.
Mistakes and successes shape the learning curve in formulation work. Every change in storage, every new ingredient, asks for a re-check of safety procedures, labeling, and routine inspections. Barcode tracking, digital inventory tools, and color-coded shelves make the day-to-day smoother, especially in busy spaces. Open conversations about spills, reactions, or bad batches point out weak spots before they become safety hazards. Professional organizations like the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and American Chemical Society share up-to-date guidelines for best practices, keeping teams informed and prepared.
In the end, the most reliable systems grow from shared stories, solid information, and transparency. Staying hands-on with ingredient safety, proper storage, and compatibility leads to better results and safer workplaces.
Names | |
Preferred IUPAC name | Sodium 2-(carboxymethoxy)ethyl cellulose |
Other names |
Low Substituted Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Low Substitution NaCMC Cellulose Gum Low Substitution Sodium CMC Low Substitution LS-CMC |
Pronunciation | /ˈsəʊdiəm kɑːˌbɒk.siˌmiːˈθɪl ˈsɛljuːloʊs wɪð loʊ səbˌstɪˈtuːʃən biː piː iː piː juː ɛs piː ˈfɑːrmə ɡreɪd/ |
Identifiers | |
CAS Number | 9004-32-4 |
Beilstein Reference | 3526156 |
ChEBI | CHEBI:85153 |
ChEMBL | CHEMBL1201474 |
ChemSpider | 14320 |
DrugBank | DB00645 |
ECHA InfoCard | EC-Number 618-378-6 |
EC Number | 9004-32-4 |
Gmelin Reference | 86429 |
KEGG | C01669 |
MeSH | D002446 |
PubChem CID | 24759 |
RTECS number | BO3150000 |
UNII | FMC39J7PU6 |
UN number | 3077 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID1034298 |
Properties | |
Chemical formula | C8H15NaO8 |
Molar mass | 262.19 g/mol |
Appearance | White or almost white, granular powder |
Odor | Odorless |
Density | 0.5 - 0.7 g/cm³ |
Solubility in water | Soluble in water |
log P | -12.6 |
Acidity (pKa) | \~4.3 |
Basicity (pKb) | 8 - 10 |
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | Diamagnetic (-82 × 10⁻⁶ cgs) |
Refractive index (nD) | 1.333 – 1.335 |
Viscosity | 400-800 cps (1% solution) |
Thermochemistry | |
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 143 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
Pharmacology | |
ATC code | A07XA01 |
Hazards | |
Main hazards | May cause mild skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. |
GHS labelling | GHS07 |
Pictograms | GHS07, GHS08 |
Hazard statements | Not a hazardous substance or mixture according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008. |
Precautionary statements | Keep container tightly closed. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling. Use with adequate ventilation. |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | Health: 1, Flammability: 1, Instability: 0, Special: - |
Autoignition temperature | > 200°C (392°F) |
LD50 (median dose) | > 16,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
NIOSH | Not listed |
PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
REL (Recommended) | 1.0% to 2.0% |
IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not Established |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds |
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Methylcellulose Microcrystalline Cellulose Ethyl Cellulose Sodium Alginate Carboxymethyl Starch Guar Gum |