Abstract:
Alkylbenzene, a basic raw material used in detergents production, may be
synthesized from alkanes or alkenes and benzene. The alkylation process
chosen will depend on whatever raw materials are available, but all processes
are complicated and call for experience on the part of operatives. The most
elastic of the production processes features the alkylation of benzene with
chloro derivatives of linear or branched alkanes. (Linear alkylbenzene is the
more desirable product as detergents having this' as their basis are more
easily biologically destroyed in sewerage and industrial effluents.) In the
process, a linear dodecane fraction containing no more than 3% nonane and 0.3%
tetradecane is used.
