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Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) is one of the most widely used anionic surfactants in industrial, household, and research applications.
It belongs to the family of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), which are synthetic surfactants obtained from the sulfonation of linear alkylbenzenes.
SDBS is valued for its excellent detergency, foaming, emulsifying, and dispersing properties.
Its ability to interact with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances makes it indispensable in cleaning products, emulsification processes, and laboratory applications.
CAS Number: 25155-30-0
SYNONYMS:
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate,SDBS,Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS, sodium salt), Benzenesulfonic acid, dodecyl-, sodium salt,Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt
Since its introduction in the mid-20th century, SDBS has largely replaced soap-based cleaning agents because of its superior performance in hard water, higher solubility, and lower cost of production. Today, it is extensively used in detergents, personal care products, agrochemicals, oilfield chemicals, and even as an emulsifier in polymerization processes.
Chemical Structure and Properties
Molecular Structure
SDBS is the sodium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. Its structure consists of a linear dodecyl chain (12 carbon atoms) attached to a benzene ring, which is further bonded to a sulfonate (-SO₃⁻) group neutralized by sodium (Na⁺).
Molecular formula: C₁₈H₂₉NaO₃S
Molar mass: ~348.48 g/mol
Hydrophobic portion: the linear alkyl chain and benzene ring.
Hydrophilic portion: sulfonate group (-SO₃⁻Na⁺).
This amphiphilic structure allows SDBS to reduce surface and interfacial tension effectively.
Physical Properties
Appearance: White to light yellow powder or flakes
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, producing stable foaming solutions
pH (1% aqueous solution): ~7.0–9.0
Melting point: ~180 °C (decomposes)
Density: ~0.25 g/cm³ (bulk powder)
Critical micelle concentration (CMC): ~1.2–2.0 mM
Surface tension reduction: Can reduce water surface tension to ~28–30 dyn/cm at CMC
Chemical Properties
Stable under normal conditions
Resistant to precipitation in hard water due to calcium and magnesium salts
Susceptible to biodegradation under aerobic conditions
Compatible with most anionic and nonionic surfactants but incompatible with cationic surfactants due to charge neutralization
Production Methods
Raw Materials
Linear alkylbenzene (LAB): Produced by alkylation of benzene with long-chain linear olefins.
Sulfur trioxide (SO₃) or concentrated sulfuric acid: Sulfonating agent.
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH): Neutralizing agent.
Industrial Production Process
Alkylation of benzene with linear olefins (C₁₀–C₁₄) to produce linear alkylbenzene.
Sulfonation of LAB with SO₃ or oleum to produce dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA).
Neutralization of DBSA with NaOH, yielding sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS).
Spray drying into powders or direct solution formulation for liquid detergents.
Industrial Considerations
Modern processes focus on linear alkyl chains to enhance biodegradability, as older branched-chain alkylbenzene sulfonates (ABS) were resistant to biodegradation and caused environmental problems.
Production plants often integrate LAB, sulfonation, and neutralization units to optimize cost and minimize waste.
Applications
Household and Industrial Detergents
Primary ingredient in laundry powders, dishwashing liquids, and all-purpose cleaners.
Provides strong foaming, emulsifying, and cleaning ability.
Effective in both soft and hard water.
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Used in shampoos, body washes, and hand soaps as a foaming and cleansing agent.
Often combined with milder surfactants to balance harshness.
Industrial and Technical Uses
Emulsifier: For emulsion polymerization of styrene, butadiene, and acrylic polymers.
Dispersant: In paints, inks, and pigment formulations.
Oilfield chemicals: Used in enhanced oil recovery and drilling fluids.
Textiles and leather: Wetting agent, scouring agent, and dye dispersant.
Agriculture: Wetting agent in pesticide formulations.
Laboratory and Research Uses
Used in biochemistry and molecular biology as a detergent to solubilize proteins and lipids.
Commonly used in electrophoresis and cell lysis protocols.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT SODIUM DODECYL BENZENE SULFONATE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
