Sulfation and sulfonation

Abstract

SummaryPatent and technical literature contain a wide variety of references to sulfation and sulfonation. Many of these relate to methods specific for individual compounds or substituted functional groups, or to involved methods undesirable for commercial plant operation. Other references relate to gross methods wherein simplicity of operation is unrestricted by close product quality specifications. Sulfation and sulfonation for detergent manufacture fall in between these examples, being relatively straight‐forward operations but subject to the strict requirements of good color and low residual oil content in the finished detergent. From the process standpoint, good color and low oil content tend to be opposing requirements. To achieve both requires careful selection and control of the process variables. There still remains much room for improvement in the techniques of detergent manufacture directed toward the economical use of time, equipment, and materials. Since this industry is relatively new and highly competitive, such developments may be expected.