Identification of Certain Sultones as the Sensitizers in an Alkyl Ethoxy Sulfate

Skin sensitizing agents that were present in a specific batch of alkyl ethoxy sulfate (AES) were identified as 1‐dodecene‐1,3‐sultone and 1‐tetradecene‐1,3‐sultone. Two other sensitizing agents that were present in the AES were tentatively identified as 2‐chloro‐1,3‐dodecanesultone and 2‐chloro‐1,3‐tetradecanesultone. A route of formation for these sensitizers has been postulated which is consistent with the specific conditions used for the manufacture of this batch of AES.