Chemistry
Density: 7.22 lbs/gal
pH : 6.0-9.0
Flash Point: 293 °F (145 °C)
Boiling Point: 282-302 °C
Average Molecular Weight: 232-239 g/mol
Distillation Range: 285-301 °C
Appearance: Colorless oily liquid
Uses
The major uses of linear alkylbenzenes are in the manufacture of linear alkyl sulfonates that are used for manufacture of household detergents and industrial cleaners.
Production
Linear alkylbenzenes are made from n-paraffins (C10 to C14) by either partial dehydrogenation to olefins and addition to benzene with hydrogen fluoride (HF) as catalyst or by chlorination of the paraffins and Friedel-Crafts reaction with benzene and an aluminum chloride catalyst.
In one process, linear paraffins are dehydrogenated to linear olefins that are then reacted with benzene over a solid heterogeneous catalyst to produce the linear alkyl benzenes. Usually, the paraffins are of the C10 to C14 chain length.