The key difference between parabens sulfates and phthalates is that parabens are organic compounds containing an ester group and a hydroxyl group while sulfates are inorganic salts, and phthalates are diesters.
Parabens and phthalates are organic compounds. These two are esters; parabens contain one ester group per molecule while phthalates contain two ester groups per molecule. Sulfates, on the other hand, are inorganic compounds containing a sulfate anion.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Parabens
3. What are Sulfates
4. What are Phthalates
5. Side by Side Comparison – Parabens Sulfates vs Phthalates in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What are Parabens?
Parabens are organic compounds containing one ester functional group and a hydroxyl group. These are common compounds that are used as preservatives in the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry, etc. The paraben structure has a benzene ring attached to an ester group and a hydroxyl group at the para position. Therefore, we can name these compounds as esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Commercially available parabens are synthetic products. However, there are some paraben forms that are identical to the parabens we can find in nature. The production method of parabens is via the esterification of para-hydroxybenzoic acid with an alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, etc.
In many types of formulas, parabens are effective preservatives. These compounds and their salts are very useful due to their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. We can find these compounds in shampoos, commercially available moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, makeup, and toothpaste. Sometimes, we can use these compounds as food preservatives as well.
What are Sulfates?
Sulfates are inorganic salt compounds containing sulfate anion. The chemical formula of sulfate anion is SO42-. It is a polyatomic anion having only sulfur and oxygen atoms. There are different compounds containing sulfate anions, including salts, acid derivatives, peroxides, etc. together, all these compounds are called as sulfates.
The sulfate anion has a central sulfur atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. The geometry of this anion is tetrahedral, and it has -2 electrical charge. The oxidation state of the sulfur atom is +6. Sulfate anion is the conjugate base of bisulfate ion. We can obtain sulfates via different methods. For example, metal sulfates form when the metal is reacted with sulfuric acid. Similarly, oxidation of sulfides and sulfites give sulfates.
What are Phthalates?
Phthalates are organic compounds having two ester functional groups per molecule. These are also named as phthalate esters. This is because one phthalate molecule contains two ester groups in the ortho position of the benzene ring. Therefore, phthalates are diesters. Furthermore, these ester groups may contain either alkyl or aryl groups.
Phthalates are mainly important as plasticizers. Plasticizers are the substances added to plastic to increase the flexibility, transparency, durability, etc. of plastic materials. Primarily, phthalates are used to soften PVC. However, there are many biological alternatives for phthalates in the market now. However, these biological forms are very expensive, and they are not often compatible with the plastic material.
What is the Difference Between Parabens Sulfates and Phthalates?
Parabens and phthalates are organic compounds, while sulfates are inorganic compounds. The key difference between parabens sulfates and phthalates is that parabens are organic compounds containing an ester group and a hydroxyl group while sulfates are inorganic salts and phthalates are diesters. In other words, parabens are organic compounds with ester and hydroxyl groups while sulfates are inorganic salts with sulfate anion and phthalates are organic compounds with two ester groups per molecule.
Below infographic lists more differences between parabens sulfates and phthalates.
Summary – Parabens Sulfates vs Phthalates
Parabens and phthalates are organic compounds, while sulfates are inorganic compounds. The key difference between parabens sulfates and phthalates is that parabens are organic compounds containing an ester group and a hydroxyl group while sulfates are inorganic salts and phthalates are diesters.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Paraben-2D-skeletal” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Sulfate-ion-2D-dimensions” By Benjah-bmm27 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Phthalates” By User:Bryan Derksen – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia