CAS Number:
27176-87-0 or 85536-14-7
Common Names:
Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA), Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (DBSA, DDBSA).
Molecular Formula:
C??H??O?S or RC?H?SO?H (where R=C?? alkyl chain)
Primary Functions in Formulation:
· Primary Surfactant: Provides excellent cleansing, wetting, and foaming power.
· Emulsifying & Dispersing Agent: Helps mix oils and water and disperse soils.
· Raw Material (Acid Form): Primarily used as an industrial intermediate to be neutralized into various detergent salts.
Main Applications and Uses:
Its core function is as the main raw material for manufacturing detergents and cleaners.
· Detergent & Cleaning Industry: The principal use is for making laundry powders/liquids, dishwashing liquids, and household/industrial cleaners.
· Personal Care: Used as a base material to produce surfactants for hair shampoos, bath shampoos, and body washes.
· Textile, Leather & Paper Processing: Employed as a scouring, wetting, dyeing assistant, and degreasing agent.
· Other Industrial Uses: Found in pesticide emulsifiers, paint dispersants, oilfield chemicals, and construction material cleaners.
Critical Safety and Handling Notes:
This material is a concentrated, corrosive strong acid and must be handled with extreme care.
· Hazards: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
· Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Mandatory use of chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, face shields, and aprons. Use in well-ventilated areas or with respiratory protection.
· Storage: Store in a cool, dry, ventilated area away from sunlight, bases, and oxidizers. Use corrosion-resistant, tightly sealed containers.
· Key Processing Step - Neutralization: In its raw acid form, it is not used directly in final cleaning products. It must be carefully neutralized (e.g., with sodium hydroxide, ammonia, or triethanolamine) to form milder, usable salts like Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate. This process is exothermic (releases heat).
Key Technical Specifications (for LABSA 96%):
The main quality parameters include:
|
Property
|
Values
|
|
Active Matter
|
≥ 96%
|
|
Free Oil
|
≤ 2.0%
|
|
Sulphate (as Na?SO?)
|
≤ 1.5%
|
|
Water Content
|
≤ 1.0%
|
|
Typical Purity / Active Matter
|
96% min (commercially standard)
|
|
Appearance
|
Brown, viscous sticky liquid
|
|
pH
|
)as is): Strong acid, typically 2-3
|
|
Storage & Handling
|
Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry place. Avoid prolonged storage at high temperatures (>40°C)
|
In Summary:
· What it is: The 96% active Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) is a corrosive, industrial surfactant intermediate.
· What it does: It provides powerful cleaning and foaming as the primary raw material for manufacturing most anionic detergent salts.
· How it's used: It is always neutralized in a controlled chemical process to create the final surfactants used in your shampoos, liquids, and powders