A Comprehensive Overview of 2-Acrylamido-2-Methylpropane Sulfonic Acid – Properties, Applications

AMPS/ATBS (Acrylamido tertiary-butyl sulfonic acid) is a highly versatile molecule used in the production of polymers. The IUPAC name for the ATBS compound is 2-acrylamido-2-methyl  propane sulfonic acid and the CAS number is 15214-89-8. It is a very unique polymer with a sulphonic acid group. It is highly polymerizable and can be just as easily depolymerised using basic methods with acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, acrylic esters, acrylamide etc. It is highly hygroscopic- meaning it collects the moisture from the surroundings. ATBS monomer will collect itself when it comes in contact with water.    

The molecular formula of acrylamide tertiary-butyl sulfonic acid is C7H13NO4S. Its aqueous solution is acidic in nature, soluble in water but insoluble in acetone. AMPS monomer and sodium salt allow the polymer producers to manufacture superior quality polymers for usage in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. This chemical compound is easily available in the market in both granules and liquid form. It is high in productivity and optimum performance. 

Chemical properties of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid are:

• Purity(HPLC) >= 99.0% 
• Acid number: 265-275 mgKOH/g
• Iron <=10 mg/kg
• Water <=0.3%
• CAS Number: 15214-89-8
• Synonyms: 2-Acrylamido-2-Methylpropane Sulfonic Acid, 2-Acrylamido-2-Methylpropanesulfonic Acid, 2-Acrylamido-2-Methyl-1-Propane Sulfonic Acid and 2-Acryloylamino-2-Methylpropane-1-Sulfonic Acid.

Uses and Industrial Applications: 

Acrylamide tertiary-butyl sulfonic acid is used in a wide range of applications including textiles, flocculants, dispersants, scale control agents and well-additives. It is also used in good additives, paint and coatings, water treatment agents (majorly as a scale preventing agent), paper and pulp industry, acrylic fibre dyeing aids. This chemical has an excellent synthesis, absorptivity, surface activity, biological activity, hydraulic and thermal stability 

There are various applications in diversified areas involving the use of AMPS monomers such as oil fields, construction chemicals, hydrogens for chemicals, adhesives and rheology modifiers, emulsion coatings and personal care products. It is suitable for application in co-polymerization and in addition reactions. The major and most popular use of this chemical compound is in water treatment, latex, adhesives, and acrylic fibres. It is also used in the following applications: 

• Latex and Adhesive applications: The AMPS by Vinati Organics is known to achieve outstanding latex stability in high-performance latex coatings. It increases the adhesive strength of pressure-sensitive adhesive formulations and improves the thermal and mechanical properties of adhesives. The polymers with lower molecular weight containing AMPS Monomer are especially efficient dispersants for highly-polar operations.   

• Oil Field applications: The acrylamide tertiary-butyl sulfonic acid is used in the oil field application in its granule and liquified form because of its unmatchable thermal and hydraulic stability. Such hostile environments demand only high-performing products. The tendency to increase the viscosity and divalent cation stability is what makes it an ideal solution for many oil field operations.