Linear Alkylbenzene

Origin
Taiwan
CAS Number
67774-74-7
HS Code
3817.00.00

Basic Info

IUPAC Name
dodecylbenzene (branched)
Molecular Formula
C18H30 (avg)
Synonyms & Trade Names
Linear alkylbenzene; LAB; Hard alkylbenzene
Purity / Assay (%)
99% min
Grade / Quality Level
Technical Grade
Physical Form
Liquid
Concentration
Pure substance
Appearance / Color
Clear to slightly colored liquid
Odor
Mild aromatic
Boiling Point (°C)
>300
Density (g/cm³)
0.8550
Solubility in Water
Insoluble
UN Number
Not applicable
H-Statements
None
P-Statements
P260
REACH Status
Registered
Drug Precursor Status
Non-precursor
Storage Class (GHS)
10
Storage Conditions
Cool, dry place

Categories

Technical Document

Brief Overview
Linear alkylbenzenes belong to the group of organic compounds with the formula C6H5CnH2n+1. LABs are transparent to brown liquids. They are mainly produced as intermediate in the production of surfactants, for use in detergent. Since the 1960s, LABs have emerged as the dominant precursor of biodegradable detergents.
Manufacturing Process
There are 3 production methods for LABs:
The DETAL process involves dehydrogenation of n-paraffins to olefins, and subsequent reaction with benzene using a fixed bed catalyst.

The HF/n-paraffins process involves dehydrogenation of n-paraffins to olefins, and subsequent reaction with benzene using hydrogen fluoride as catalyst. This process accounts for the majority of the installed LAB production in the world.

The Friedel-Crafts alkylation process involves chlorination of n-paraffins to monochloroparaffins followed by alkylation of benzene using aluminum chloride (AlCl3) catalyst. This method is one of the oldest commercial routes to LABs.

Each process generates LAB products with distinct features.