Synthesis and Interfacial Properties of Dialkylbenzenesulfonates

Abstract

A new method of synthesis, a series of pure dialkylbenzenesulfonates, is described. The benzene ring carries one major alkyl substituent, consisting of a chain of sixteen carbon atoms long and one additional methyl or ethyl group. Many side reactions were avoided using PPA instead of AlCl₃. Good results were also obtained because we chose the iodine modified by red phosphorus as the reducing agent. Products were characterized by ¹HMNR. Surface tensions of aqueous surfactant solutions were measured at 20°C, using the plate method. Effects of the position of the benzene ring on the carbon chain and the length of the short alkyl substituent were studied.

Keywords:

• dialkylbenzenesulfonates
• PPA
• surface tension

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the 11th Five-Year Plan National Technology Support Program [2006BAB04B02] for financial support.