Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate technology

Friedel-Crafts technology and zeolite- or other solid catalyst-based processes are currently used for other aromatic alkylations, in particular for the manufacture of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) made from C10-C14 olefins (Equation 8), or from the corresponding chloroparaffins and benzene, and also to make m- and p-cymene (isopropyltoluene Equation 9). LABs are used for the production of sulfonate detergents, while cymenes lead to m- and p-cresols through a procedure analogous to that used for the cumene-to-phenol process. 

After sulfonation, the sulfonic acid is separated from its diluent and the anhydrous acid is then diluted with water prior to neutrahzation with an alkaline base such as sodium hydroxide. In the past, much of the product has been sold as the sodium salt because its viscosity is lower than that of the neat acid. This is the reverse of monosulfonated linear alkylbenzene, where the viscosity of the neat acid is lower than that of the sodium salt. The reduced viscosity of the sodium salt form is hypothesized to be due to the increased solubility of the disulfonate over that of the monosulfonate. Recent improvements in process and handling technology have resulted in high-active acid products. 

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