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Linear alkylbenzene
Author(s) -
Almeida J. L. G.,
Dufaux M.,
Taarit Y. Ben,
Naccache C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/bf02541423
Subject(s) - linear alkylbenzene , catalysis , raw material , biodegradation , chemistry , natural mineral , pulmonary surfactant , environmental science , pulp and paper industry , biochemical engineering , waste management , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , mineralogy , biochemistry
Linear alkylbenzene (LAB) was introduced in the mid‐1960s as a raw material for cleaning products. Since then, continuing and explosive research on its biodegradation and on its environmental and human toxicity has been performed. The efficiency of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate as surfactant is clearly established, and it is one of the safest and most cost‐effective products in widespread commercial use. The aim of the present paper is to survey the most important developments and understandings of the chemistry of LAB production and of its physical and environmental properties. The expected consequence of this analytical survey is to envisage the continuous challenges for the detergents industry in catalytic production of LAB, better control of selectivity, replacement of corrosive and mineral liquid acid catalyst by heterogeneous acid catalyst and the maintenance of competitiveness of LAB with respect to natural alcohols.