Ultimate biodegradation studies of α-olefin sulfonates

Single carbon cut α-olefin sulfonates (AOS) having 12, 14, 16 and 18 carbon chain lengths and several of their blends were prepared from high-quality α-olefins by continuous SO₃ sulfonation in a laboratory falling film reactor. The ultimate biodegradability of these products was studied using a modified shake flask procedure with CO₂ evolution as the major biodegradability criterion. For comparison, commercial samples of a modified Ziegler-based AOS, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), and an alcohol ethoxysulfate (AEOS) were included. The results showed the AOS products bio-degraded to CO₂ more completely than LAS and slightly less extensively than AEOS. CO₂ evolution decreased slightly in amount and rate as AOS carbon chain length increased in the C₁₄ to C₁₈ range. Presented at the AOCS meeting, May 1977, New York City.