Some detersive properties of model straight chain sodium alkylbenzenesulfonates

Abstract

Abstract Model long chain sodium ortho and para alkylbenzenesulfonates having primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms attached to the phenyl group have been evaluated for foam, wetting and detergency. The data indicate that the surface active properties of these three classes of compounds which are primarily linear in structure are dependent upon sulfonate position, phenyl position and chain length. Each of these factors contributes to performance. Ortho sulfonates are better wetting agents than para sulfonates but the para compounds generally foam better and appear to have superior detergency properties than their respective ortho isomers. Ortho sulfouate in a detergent composition may have a greater influence on surface active properties than had been heretofore recognized.