Formulating characteristics of high and low 2-phenyl linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in liquid detergents

Detergent range linear alkylbenzene (LAB) currently is manufactured by two different processes, using either aluminum chloride or hydrogen fluoride as the alkylation catalyst. The alkylates from the two processes are not exactly the same. Furthermore, the properties of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) surfactants made by sulfonation of the LABs also differ. Because LAS is used in most types of detergent products, it is important to known how the properties of each type of LAS differ. This paper compares the formulating characteristics (such as viscosity, solubility and foaming) of high and low 2-phenyl LAS in some typical household cleaning product formulations. It is concluded that the two types of LAS should not be used interchangeably without first checking carefully all the physical properties required in a product. Presented at the AOCS meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii in May 1986.