Hydrotropic and surfactant properties of novel diisopropyl naphthalene sulfonates

A novel surfactant and hydrotrope, sodium diisopropylnaphthalene sulfonate (SDIPNS) has been developed. It contains about 92% diisopropylnaphthalene sulfonate, compared to other materials which are less than 50% diisopropylnaphthalene sulfonate. Aqueous solutions of 34-36% active SDIPNS have dual functionality. They have excellent surface properties and are compatible with conventional anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants. They demonstrate good laundering detergency in combination with sodium lauryl ethoxy sulfate, with or without builder. They maintain surface activity in 150 ppm hard water (Ca2+/Mg2+ = 2:1), 5% NaCl, pH 2, and pH 12. They are effective hydrotropes. They enhance surfactant solubility, raise the cloud point of nonionic surfactants, and modify the viscosity of surfactant formulations. They are light in color and are low-foaming.