Mixtures of soap and a commercial alkyl aryl sulfonate

Summary This middle ground between the soaps and synthetics has not been actively exploited in spite of the intense current interest in the straight products. It has been a no man's land where the manufacturers of synthetic detergents have carefully avoided soap, which they regard as outside of their field, while many manufacturers of soap have been indifferent to the effect of the synthetic detergents. In spite of this general indifference work has been done on both sides of the fence with a continually increasing use of the mixtures. Where mixtures have been ready-made, the soap manufacturers have been largely responsible for their manufacture. Commercial mixtures of soaps and synthetics have been sold where synthetic detergents have been found to improve soap for specific uses. This trend is certain to expand. The present success should encourage further research and development commensurate with the increasing commercial importance of the products. Presented at the annual fall meeting, American Oil Chemists' Society, Oct. 31, Nov. 1–3, 1949, Chicago, Ill.