Sub-Product

Linear Alkylbenzenes are a family of organic compounds with the formula C₆H₅-C_nH_(2n+1). Typically, n lies between 10 and 16, although generally supplied as a tighter cut, such as C₁₂-C₁₅, C₁₂-C₁₃ and C₁₀-C₁₃, for detergent use.

Linear Alkylebenzenes produced by 3 methods (technologies)

1. Chlorination and Monochloroparaffin Method (Early 1960s)

   1. Linear paraffins are chlorinated to form monochloroparaffin.
   2. An aluminum chloride catalyst is then used to alkylate benzene with monochloroparaffin .

2. Chlorination and Dechlorination to Form Olefins

   • Linear paraffins are first chlorinated.
   • They are then dechlorinated, forming olefins.
   • Hydrochloric acid is used as a catalyst for the alkylation of benzene with the linear olefins.

3. Dehydrogenation and Olefin Production

   • Linear paraffins undergo dehydrogenation to produce olefins.
   • These olefins react with benzene in the presence of an HF acid catalyst to produce LAB.
   • Unreacted paraffins are separated by distillation and returned to the beginning of the process.