Sarcosine (N-methylglycine, CAS 107-97-1, C3H7NO2, MW 89.09) is the simplest N-methyl amino acid and an important industrial building block. It is the raw material for acyl sarcosinate surfactants (such as sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and sodium cocoyl sarcosinate), used across personal care, oral care, nutrition and pharmaceutical synthesis. This guide covers its chemistry, production, specifications and applications.
1. What Is Sarcosine?
Sarcosine is glycine with a methyl group on the nitrogen atom. It occurs naturally as an intermediate in glycine and choline metabolism. Industrially it is produced in bulk and serves as a versatile N-methyl building block – most visibly as the head group of mild acyl sarcosinate surfactants.
2. Chemistry and Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C3H7NO2 |
| Molecular weight | 89.09 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to off-white microcrystalline powder |
| Assay | 98% min |
| Melting point | 205-215 °C (decomposes) |
| Loss on drying | ≤0.5% |
| Residue on ignition | ≤0.5% |
| Heavy metal (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
3. Production Technology
Commercial sarcosine is produced mainly by two routes:
- Methylamine route: reaction of chloroacetic acid (or its sodium salt) with methylamine, followed by purification and crystallization. This is the dominant industrial route.
- Hydrolysis route: hydrolysis of creatine or sarcosine derivatives under controlled conditions.
Process control targets high assay (≥98%), low moisture and low ash/heavy metals, since surfactant and nutritional applications have tight purity expectations.
4. Specifications
Standard grade: white to off-white microcrystalline powder; assay 98% min; loss on drying 0.5% max; residue on ignition 0.5% max; heavy metal (Pb) 10 ppm max; melting point 205-215 °C.
5. Applications Overview
- Acyl sarcosinate surfactants – sodium lauroyl/cocoyl sarcosinate for shampoos, toothpaste, face washes.
- Personal and oral care – mildness, foam quality, reduced irritation.
- Nutrition – sports nutrition and biochemical intermediates.
- Pharmaceutical synthesis – building block for N-methylated actives; creatine production.
6. Application Details
6.1 Surfactant raw material
Acyl sarcosinates are made by reacting sarcosine with fatty acid chlorides (lauroyl, cocoyl, myristoyl). The resulting surfactants combine excellent mildness with good foam and are stable over a wide pH range, making them popular in premium shampoos, facial cleansers and toothpastes.
6.2 Nutrition and pharma
Sarcosine is used as an intermediate in creatine manufacture and as a specialty nutritional ingredient; in synthesis it provides an N-methyl glycine unit for active pharmaceutical ingredients.
7. Industry Landscape
Sarcosine is produced by amino-acid and fine-chemical manufacturers, mainly in Asia. Buyers should compare assay, ash, moisture and heavy-metal data; for cosmetic and nutritional use the impurity profile matters more than for technical grades.
8. Buying Guide
- Specify assay (≥98%), loss on drying, residue on ignition and Pb limit.
- Request COA per batch with measured values.
- Confirm packaging (25 kg) and storage conditions; the powder is hygroscopic.
9. Safety and Handling
- Low-toxicity amino acid derivative; dust may irritate eyes and respiratory tract – use ventilation and PPE.
- Store sealed, cool and dry; keep away from strong oxidizers.
10. FAQ
Is sarcosine the same as sodium lauroyl sarcosinate?
No – sarcosine is the free amino acid intermediate; sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is the surfactant made by reacting sarcosine with lauroyl chloride.
What purity does cosmetic use require?
Typical cosmetic/nutritional grades specify assay 98% min with tight ash and heavy-metal limits, as in the specification above.
11. References and Further Reading
- PubChem entry for sarcosine (CID via PubChem REST API).
- Supplier COA and MSDS for the specific grade quoted.
This article is published for industrial and technical reference by PolyblueChem. Verify all values against the supplier’s COA and applicable standards before specification.
PolyblueChem supplies sarcosine (CAS 107-97-1) with COA and MSDS. Contact us for specifications and quotations.