New anionic alkylaryl surfactants based on olefin sulfonic acids

Anew family of anionic surfactants has been produced by the simultaneous sulfonation and alkylation of aromatic compounds using olefin sulfonic acid(s). This new process does not require the conventional alkylation unit and the strong acid catalysts, such as AlCl3 or HF, normally used for alkylation. The resulting alkylaryl sulfonic acids differ from existing products by having the sulfonate group attached to the alkyl chain rather than the aromatic ring. This allows for further derivatization of the aromatic compound by leaving more positions open on the ring. Aromatic compounds that lend themselves to the new process include benzene, toluene, xylene, alkylbenzenes, phenol, alkylphenols, alkoxylated phenols, alkoxylated alkylphenols, alkoxylated alkylphenol/formaldehyde resins, naphthalene, and alkyl naphthalenes. Any type of olefin that can be sulfonated can be used as the starting material. These include internal and alpha-olefins, linear and branched olefins, polyolefins, and vinylidenes. Mono- and disulfonated compounds, as well as gemini-type surfactants, are easily prepared.