Chemical Formula and Technical Specifications of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)

The chemical formula for Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), specifically the sodium salt form (Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose), is a polymer derived from cellulose.

Its general chemical formula is:
$[C_6H_7O_2(OH)_x(OCH_2COONa)_y]_n$

Where:

• n is the degree of polymerization (the number of glucose units in the chain).
• y is the Degree of Substitution (DS). For this specific product (ID: 7714), the DS is 0.9, meaning that on average, 0.9 out of the 3 available hydroxyl groups (-OH) on each glucose unit have been replaced by carboxymethyl groups (-OCH₂COONa).
• x = 3 - y (the remaining unsubstituted hydroxyl groups).

Key Characteristics of this product:

• INCI Name: Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (or Cellulose Gum)
• CAS Number: 9004-32-4
• Viscosity: 2000 mPa.s (at 1% concentration in water).
• Function: Acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and film-former in cosmetic and personal care formulations. It has good resistance to acids and salts due to its high DS value.