Johan Stapersma

Hydroxy alkane sulfonate (HAS), a new surfactant based on olefins

Mild sulfonation of detergent-range internal olefins in a falling-film reactor results in quantitative conversion to a mixture of β-sultones, alkenesulfonic acids, and larger-ring sultones in a molar ratio ofca. 85:10:5. By direct neutralization and hydrolysis under well-controlled conditions such mixtures can be converted into products that are rich in β-hydroxysulfonates and have low levels of residual sultones, inorganic sulfate, and free oil.