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Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid, or LABSA for short, has been the world’s largest-volume synthetic surfactant used in the detergent industry for decades.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid’s a very cost-effective anionic surfactant with excellent cleaning power and compatibility with other types of surfactants.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid has been the dominant active matter of synthetic detergent powder since it was developed to become a biodegradable replacement for Nonlinear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (BAS).
CAS Number: 265986-57-0
Molecular Formula: C10H7FN2O2
Molecular Weight: 206.17
Synonyms: 5-fluoro-1-phenyl-1H-Pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, 265986-57-0, RefChem:535695, 824-830-5, 5-fluoro-1-phenylpyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, MFCD01862045, SCHEMBL2853100, QKA98657, SBB093619, AKOS024263435, AT47330, DB-067656, EN300-211840, 5-fluoro-1-phenyl-1H-Pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, Z1509010617, 5-fluoro-1-phenyl-1H-Pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid;1H-Pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, 5-fluoro-1-phenyl-
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acids are a class of anionic surfactants, consisting of a hydrophilic sulfonate head-group and a hydrophobic alkylbenzene tail-group.
Along with sodium laureth sulfate, they are one of the oldest and most widely used synthetic detergents and may be found in numerous personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.) and household-care products (laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, spray cleaner etc.).
They were introduced in the 1930s in the form of branched alkylbenzene sulfonates (BAS).
However following environmental concerns these were replaced with linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) during the 1960s.
Since then production has increased significantly from about one million tons in 1980, to around 3.5 million tons in 2016, making them most produced anionic surfactant after soaps.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid can be stably dried into a powder form, and it can also easily dissolve in water to formulate many kinds of detergents in liquid and gel form, such as Dishwashing Liquid, Laundry Detergent Liquid, and Hand Soap Liquid.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is an organic sulfonic acid compound, widely used as a surfactant intermediate and cleaning agent in detergents and industrial formulations.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acids general formula is C₆H₅–SO₃H with an alkyl chain (R–), often written as R–C₆H₄–SO₃H.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid belongs to the class of anionic surfactants.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid consists of a benzene ring substituted with a sulfonic acid group (–SO₃H) and a long alkyl chain.
The sulfonic group is strongly acidic and hydrophilic.
The alkyl chain provides hydrophobic character.
Physically, Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid appears as a viscous, brown to dark liquid.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is soluble in water and forms acidic solutions.
It has a characteristic sharp odor.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid exhibits strong surface-active properties when neutralized to form salts (e.g., sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate).
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid reduces surface tension and forms micelles.
This enables effective cleaning and emulsification.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is a strong organic acid, capable of reacting with bases to form surfactant salts.
These salts are the active components in detergents.
This makes ABSA an important intermediate.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid provides excellent detergency and wetting ability.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid helps remove oils, grease, and dirt.
This is why it is widely used in cleaning products.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is generally chemically stable under normal conditions, but highly corrosive in concentrated form.
It should be handled with care.
Proper storage and handling are required.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is best described as a strong acidic surfactant precursor used to produce detergents and cleaning agents, valued for its powerful cleaning and emulsifying properties.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is typically produced by sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) using sulfur trioxide or sulfuric acid.
This introduces the sulfonic acid group onto the aromatic ring.
The resulting product is a key detergent intermediate.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid exhibits strong acidity (pKa ≈ −2 to −3) due to the sulfonic acid group.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is much stronger than carboxylic acids.
This contributes to its reactivity and cleaning efficiency.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid forms water-soluble salts upon neutralization, such as sodium or calcium alkylbenzene sulfonates.
These salts are the active surfactants in detergents.
They provide excellent foaming and cleaning performance.
The molecule has a hydrophilic sulfonate head and hydrophobic alkyl chain, giving it amphiphilic character.
This allows formation of micelles in aqueous solutions.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid enables emulsification of oils and dirt.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid shows excellent wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing properties.
It helps break down and suspend contaminants.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is often used in linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) systems, which are biodegradable.
Linear chains improve environmental compatibility.
This makes modern detergents more eco-friendly.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid can influence foam formation and stability, producing strong and persistent foam.
This is desirable in many cleaning applications.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid enhances user perception of cleaning power.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is compatible with other surfactants and additives, allowing formulation flexibility.
It can be combined with nonionic or amphoteric surfactants.
This improves performance in complex systems.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is a strongly acidic, amphiphilic compound used as a key intermediate in detergent production, providing excellent cleaning, foaming, and emulsifying properties in modern formulations.
Uses:
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is widely used as a key intermediate in the production of detergents, especially linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS).
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is neutralized to form active surfactant salts.
These are the main cleaning agents in many formulations.
In household cleaning products, such as laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, and surface cleaners, ABSA-derived surfactants provide strong cleaning power.
They remove grease, oils, and dirt effectively.
This improves cleaning performance.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is used in industrial cleaning formulations, including degreasers and heavy-duty cleaners.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid helps break down tough contaminants.
This is important in manufacturing and maintenance.
In personal-care products, such as shampoos and liquid soaps, ABSA derivatives act as surfactants.
They provide cleansing and foaming properties.
This enhances product effectiveness.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is applied in textile processing as a wetting and cleaning agent.
It helps remove oils and impurities from fibers.
This improves dyeing and finishing.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is used in agrochemical formulations as an emulsifier and dispersant.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid helps distribute active ingredients evenly.
This improves application efficiency.
In emulsion polymerization systems, it acts as a surfactant to stabilize particles.
It helps maintain uniform dispersion.
This supports polymer production.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is applied in leather processing for cleaning and wetting operations.
It improves penetration of chemicals into hides.
This enhances processing quality.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is also used in oilfield and petroleum applications as a surfactant for emulsification and cleaning.
It helps manage oil–water systems.
This supports industrial operations.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is used wherever strong detergency, emulsification, wetting, and dispersion are required, especially in detergents, cleaning products, and industrial formulations.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is used in hard-surface cleaners, such as bathroom and kitchen cleaners, to remove stubborn grease and stains.
It provides strong wetting and emulsifying action.
This improves cleaning efficiency.
In car wash and vehicle cleaning formulations, ABSA-derived surfactants help remove dirt, oil, and road residues.
They produce good foam and cleaning performance.
This enhances vehicle care products.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is applied in floor cleaners and industrial sanitation products.
It helps disperse contaminants and maintain clean surfaces.
This supports hygiene in commercial environments.
In paper and pulp processing, it is used as a wetting and dispersing agent.
It improves penetration of chemicals into fibers.
This enhances processing efficiency.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is used in construction chemicals, such as concrete additives and cleaning agents.
It improves dispersion and surface interaction.
This supports material processing and maintenance.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is applied in metal cleaning and surface preparation.
It helps remove oils and contaminants before coating or plating.
This improves adhesion and finish quality.
In emulsifiable concentrate formulations, especially in agrochemicals, it helps stabilize oil-based actives in water.
It ensures uniform mixing during application.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is also used in firefighting foam formulations as a surfactant component.
It helps generate and stabilize foam.
This supports fire suppression systems.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is applied in oil spill treatment and environmental cleanup formulations to disperse hydrocarbons.
It breaks down oil into smaller droplets.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is used wherever strong surfactant action, grease removal, emulsification, and dispersion are required across cleaning, industrial processing, environmental, and specialty applications.
Safety Profile:
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid presents significant hazards, primarily due to its strong acidity, corrosive nature, and irritant effects.
It can cause severe damage to tissues upon contact.
Strict safety precautions are required during handling.
Skin contact can cause severe irritation or chemical burns.
Prolonged exposure may lead to redness, pain, and tissue damage.
Protective gloves and clothing are essential.
Eye contact can result in serious eye damage, including burns and potential vision impairment.
Symptoms include intense pain, redness, and tearing.
Immediate and prolonged rinsing with water is critical.
Inhalation of vapors or mists may cause respiratory irritation.
Symptoms can include coughing, throat irritation, and breathing discomfort.
High exposure may lead to more serious effects.
Ingestion is corrosive and harmful, causing burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach.
Symptoms may include pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Immediate medical attention is required.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid is not highly flammable, but it can decompose under high temperatures.
Thermal decomposition may produce toxic fumes such as sulfur oxides and carbon oxides.
Proper temperature control is necessary.
The compound is highly reactive with bases, forming surfactant salts and releasing heat.
Alkylbenzenesulphonic Acid may also react with incompatible materials.
Careful handling and controlled neutralization are required.
