The carboxymethylation workhorse
One reagent adds a –CH₂COOH group to cellulose, aminas, phenols or thiols, which is why CMC, betaine and herbicide plants are built around it.
Monochloroacetic acid (MCA) is the standard carboxymethylating agent behind CMC, betaine surfactants, thioglycolic acid and phenoxy herbicides. Suministros SUNCHEM 99.0% min. MCA in 25 kg bags and 1,000 kg de bolsas grandes, with a batch COA on every shipment.
MCA has two reactive ends: a carboxylic acid group and an activated C–Cl bond. That makes it the usual way to attach a –CH₂COOH group to cellulose, almidón, aminas, phenols and thiols. Most of the world's MCA goes into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The rest feeds amphoteric surfactants, thioglycolic acid, glicina, phenoxy herbicides such as MCPA and 2,4-D, and pharmaceutical and dye intermediates.
In these reactions the by-product acids in MCA matter as much as the assay. Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and acetic acid carry through into the downstream product, so buyers usually specify them alongside purity and moisture.

One reagent adds a –CH₂COOH group to cellulose, aminas, phenols or thiols, which is why CMC, betaine and herbicide plants are built around it.
Bagged MCA is weighed and charged directly, or dissolved on site, without the heated tanks that molten MCA needs.
We quote against the limits on your incoming-inspection sheet — assay, DCA, ácido acético, moisture — and send the batch COA for each lot.
| Parámetro | Valor típico |
|---|---|
| Nombre del producto | Ácido monocloroacético (MCA) |
| Sinónimos | ácido cloroacético; MCAA |
| CAS No. | 79-11-8 |
| EC No. | 201-178-4 |
| Molecular formula | C₂H₃ClO₂ |
| Peso molecular | 94.50 |
| Apariencia | White to colorless crystalline solid |
| Ensayo | ≥99,0% |
Assay is the typical value for our standard grade. Dichloroacetic acid (DCA), acetic acid and moisture limits depend on the producer grade and are stated on the TDS and batch COA; the limits for your order are confirmed in the quotation and contract.
Where MCA is used, and what to confirm before you switch supply.
The largest single use. Alkali cellulose is etherified with MCA or its sodium salt to make CMC for food, detergente, drilling-fluid and paper grades; starch is carboxymethylated the same way.
Usually neutralized to sodium chloroacetate first, MCA quaternizes fatty amidoamines to make cocamidopropyl betaine and related betaines. With sodium hydrosulfide it gives thioglycolic acid for cosmetic and PVC-stabilizer uses.
Condensed with chlorophenols to make phenoxy herbicides such as MCPA and 2,4-D, and the source of glycine used in one glyphosate route.
A building block for glycine, cyanoacetic acid and malonate esters used in caffeine and other APIs, and for dye intermediates such as phenylglycine for indigo.
| Su requisito | Lo que normalmente funciona |
|---|---|
| CMC, betaine or herbicide production | Estándar 99.0% min. solid MCA |
| Your process neutralizes MCA with caustic first | Consider sodium chloroacetate (SMCA) and skip the neutralization step |
| Low by-product acids for pharma or high-purity CMC | Specify DCA and acetic acid limits; ask for the TDS before sampling |
| Charging by weight into batch reactors | Bagged solid — 25 kg bags or 1,000 kg de bolsas grandes |
| Replacing an existing supplier | Envíe su TDS o COA actual; we quote against the parameters you approve |
Desliza o desplázate horizontalmente para ver todas las columnas →
| Producto | CAS | Fórmula | Mol. peso | When to choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCA | 79-11-8 | C₂H₃ClO₂ | 94.50 | Acid form; most CMC, herbicide and pharma routes |
| cloroacetato de sodio (SMCA) | 3926-62-3 | C₂H₂ClNaO₂ | 116.48 | Pre-neutralized; common in betaine and CMC plants that dose the salt |
Both deliver the same –CH₂COOH group. Choose by how your process is set up, and confirm with a trial.
25 kg bags or 1,000 kg de bolsas grandes. Tell us your pallet pattern and labeling requirements with the order.
Keep bags closed in a cool, seco, ventilated store, away from bases, oxidizers and metals. MCA absorbs moisture and is corrosive; follow the SDS for handling and PPE.
Solid chloroacetic acid is regulated dangerous goods (Y 1751, Clase 6.1, subsidiary risk 8, PG II). Allow for DG booking and documents when you plan sea freight.
CMC, betaine, herbicide or API: each sets different limits for DCA, acetic acid and moisture. Tell us which one and the grade you make.
Assay alone does not qualify MCA. Put DCA, ácido acético, moisture and, if relevant, iron on the same COA template as your incoming inspection.
Solid MCA ships as UN 1751, Clase 6.1 (8). Aceptar embalaje, labeling and the destination port early so the DG booking does not delay the first order.
Run a sample in your own process and keep the approved lot COA as the reference for contract limits.
Tell us what you make with MCA, the quantity and the destination port. Add your current specification and we will quote against it.
| Información | Ejemplo |
|---|---|
| Solicitud | CMC, betaine, herbicida, pharma intermediate |
| Especificación requerida | Ensayo, DCA, ácido acético, humedad |
| Forma & embalaje | Solid · 25 kg bags or 1,000 kg de bolsas grandes |
| Cantidad | orden de prueba / mensual / volumen anual |
| Destino | País y puerto |
| Documentos necesarios | COA, Ficha de datos de seguridad (MSDS), SDT, REACH statement |
| Current supplier grade | Optional — helps us match |
Pre-neutralized MCA for betaine and CMC processes that dose the sodium salt.
Ver producto →The main downstream product of MCA, for food, detergent and industrial grades.
Ver producto →Amphoteric surfactant made from a fatty amidoamine and chloroacetate.
Ver producto →Mainly to make carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). It is also used for betaine surfactants, thioglycolic acid, glicina, phenoxy herbicides such as MCPA and 2,4-D, and pharmaceutical and dye intermediates.
Our standard grade is 99.0% min. ensayo. Dichloroacetic acid, acetic acid and moisture limits depend on the producer grade; we send the TDS and batch COA so you can check them against your specification before ordering.
En 25 kg bags or 1,000 kg de bolsas grandes. Solid chloroacetic acid is dangerous goods (Y 1751, Clase 6.1, subsidiary risk 8), so it ships with DG documents; tell us the destination port early.
If your process neutralizes MCA with caustic before the reaction, sodium chloroacetate can save that step. Plants that charge the acid directly usually stay with MCA. We can quote both.
Sí. Send your application and planned test; we provide the SDS and TDS with the quotation and arrange a sample sized for your trial.