Description

4-Mercaptobutyric Acid is a versatile organosulfur compound featuring both a thiol and a carboxylic acid functional group, making it a valuable bifunctional building block in organic synthesis. Its primary commercial value lies in its ability to act as a key intermediate for the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty polymers. This compound is particularly sought after by R&D chemists and process development teams in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries for synthesizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and creating novel materials with specific properties.

Application

• Pharmaceutical Intermediate: A crucial building block for synthesizing various drug candidates, particularly those requiring thioether linkages or controlled-release mechanisms.
• Agrochemical Synthesis: Used in the production of certain herbicides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators where the thiol group introduces specific biological activity.
• Polymer Modification: Serves as a chain transfer agent or a functional monomer to introduce thiol groups into polymers, altering their cross-linking, adhesion, or rheological properties.
• Bioconjugation and Peptide Synthesis: Utilized for site-specific modification of proteins, peptides, and other biomolecules via thiol-maleimide or disulfide bond formation.
• Ligand for Metal Complexation: Acts as a chelating agent for certain metals, finding use in catalysis and metal extraction processes.
• Flavor and Fragrance Industry: Employed as a precursor for synthesizing sulfur-containing flavor compounds.
• Research & Development: A valuable reagent in academic and industrial research for exploring new synthetic methodologies and material science.

Basic Information

Product Name	4-Mercaptobutyric Acid
CAS No.	13095-73-3
Molecular Formula	C4H8O2S
Molecular Weight	120.17 g/mol
Synonyms	4-Sulfanylbutanoic Acid; 4-Thiobutanoic Acid; γ-Mercaptobutyric Acid; 3-Carboxy-1-propanethiol; Butanoic acid, 4-mercapto-; NSC 84184; 4-Mercaptobutanoic Acid; 4-MBA
EINECS	Contact for details

Quality Control

Our 4-Mercaptobutyric Acid is manufactured under a strict quality management system. Each batch undergoes comprehensive analytical testing, including assay by titration or HPLC, identification by FT-IR, and impurity profiling to ensure it meets the required specifications for your application. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) detailing purity, physical properties, and test results is provided with every shipment and is available upon request.

Storage

Preserve in a tightly closed container, protected from light. Store under an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen or argon) at a controlled room temperature (15-25°C) in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Due to its sensitivity to oxidation, minimize headspace and exposure to air after opening.

Specification

Item	Specification
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Identification (IR)	Conforms
Assay (HPLC)	≥ 97.0%
Water Content (KF)	≤ 0.5%
Related Substances (HPLC)	Individual impurity ≤ 1.0%

Note: Specifications can be tailored. Please contact us for the detailed technical data sheet of a specific grade.