Alkylbenzene sulfonate

Alkylbenzene sulfonate (ABS) is a family of organic compounds that are primarily used as surfactants. They are a subclass of sulfonates. Alkylbenzene sulfonates are produced by sulfonation of detergent range alkylate (propylene tetramer or dodecene). The sulfonates are neutralized to the sodium salts or other salts to form the product.

History

Alkylbenzene sulfonates were first introduced in the 1930s. They were one of the first synthetic detergents to be produced, and they quickly replaced soap in many applications due to their superior performance in hard water. However, they were found to be poorly biodegradable and caused significant environmental problems, leading to their replacement by linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) in the 1960s.

Production

The production of alkylbenzene sulfonates involves the reaction of an alkylbenzene with sulfur trioxide to produce the corresponding sulfonic acid. This is then neutralized with an alkali to produce the sulfonate. The alkylbenzene used in the reaction is typically a mixture of alkylbenzenes with different chain lengths, which results in a product with a range of different sulfonates.

Uses

Alkylbenzene sulfonates are used in a wide variety of applications due to their excellent surfactant properties. They are used in detergents, cleaning products, and personal care products such as shampoos and shower gels. They are also used in industrial applications such as emulsion polymerization and as wetting agents in textile processing.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of alkylbenzene sulfonates has been a significant concern due to their poor biodegradability. They can accumulate in the environment and cause harm to aquatic life. This led to the development of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, which are more readily biodegradable.

See Also

• Sulfonate
• Surfactant
• Detergent
• Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate