GULF ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT
Alpha
olefins MARCH 9, 1964. Here is another in the series of reports answering your questions about GULF NORMAL ALPHA OLEFINS:
formed from one or two moles of sulfur trioxide. RCH = C H 2 + S 0 3 - > I
What is Gulfs experience with normal alpha olefins in sulfation & sulfonation, ^ A S K S A PROJECT LEADER^
Our laboratory has done basic work in the preparation of alkyl sulfates and has determined that certain critical reaction conditions must be closely cont r o l l e d to r e c o v e r t h e sulfate in good yield with minimum color formation. Maximum yields and best color are obtained at reaction temperatures of 5°C or lower. Formation of dialkyl sulfates is minimized at a mole ratio of acid to olefin greater than 1.5. Perhaps the most interesting results were obtained by the addition of sulfur trioxide to alpha olefins. The sulfur adds to the terminal carbon. The probable result is a cyclic addition product which may be
I
2
0 - so 2
RCH-CH2 1 I ' O S02 I I
02S - O On h y d r o l y s i s , either addition product gives a hydroxy sulfonic acid.
/
Why does Gulf \ recommend sulfonating normal alpha olefins for detergent applications,
INQUIRES A .. V RESEARCH GROUP LEADER. 7
The sulfonation of alpha olefins is a relatively simple and inexpensive operation. Gulf has prepared 2hydroxy sulfonates from a widerange of alphaolefins. Weare particularly pleased with the yield, detergent properties, and over-all c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e product prepared from C 14 , 0 1 6 and C 18 alpha olefins. Biodegradability.To indicate the biodegradation of
h y d r o x y s u l f o n a t e s the River die-away technique was applied. Degradation of the product is complete, and its rate of degradation is intermediate between that of lauryl sulfate and typical current "soft" alkyl benzene sulfonates. Surface Activity. Maximum lowering of surface tension is observed with the Ci6 product. It shows marked similarity to dodecylbenzenesulfonate and laurylsulfate at high concentrations in water ( 1 % and 0.1%), w h i l e u p o n further dilution it appears significantly better. Foaming. When tested by the Ross-Miles method, a blend of Ci 4 -Oi 8 hydroxy sulfonates exhibited good to excellent foaming and foam stability comparable to that of dodecylbenzenesulfonateand laurylsulfate. At increased water hardness levels, performance continues to be good. Detergency. The cotton detergency of the hydroxy sulfonates was determined by a Launder-O-Meter. Good detergency starts with the C 14 molecule and increases with molecular weight. The C 14 -C 18 blend responds well to builders. The hydroxy sulfonates in the C 1 4 -Ci 8 molecular weight range offer a promising combination of favorable performance characteristics and low cost.
If you would like to know more about GULF NORMAL ALPHA OLEFINS, or would like samples for evaluation and testing, write on your company letterhead to Gulf Oil Corporation, Petrochemicals Department C-3,1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10019.
Gulf Petrochemicals
for that certain
quality
C&EN
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