Summary
Disodium α-sulfopalmitate and homologous compounds were prepared by sulfonation of the fat acid with liquid sulfur trioxide. Sodium oleyl sulfate was prepared in an estimated 95% purity by sulfation of oleyl alcohol with pyridine-sulfur trioxide. The solubility, surface tension, wetting, foaming, and detergent properties of these and related compounds were measured.
Disodium α-sulfopalmitate is potentially inexpensive, has adequate surface active properties, is a good detergent in hard and soft water, but has limited solubility at room temperature (0.25% at 25°C.). The lauric and myristic homologs are less surface active, but more soluble. Disodium α-sulfostearate is less soluble.
Sodium oleyl sulfate has excellent solubility, and surface active properties and is an excellent detergent in soft water. It is not quite so efficient in hard water although no insoluble calcium salts are formed.
The future of the two compounds will depend upon successful formulation with builders or combinations with soap or other detergents.
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Report of a study in which certain phases were made under the Research and Marketing Act of 1946.
One of the laboratories of the Bureau of Agricultural and Industrial Chemistry, Agricultural Research Administration, United States Department of Agriculture.
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Stirton, A.J., Weil, J.K., Stawitzke, A.A. et al. Synthetic detergents from animal fats. Disodium alpha-sulfopalmitate and sodium oleyl sulfate. J Am Oil Chem Soc 29, 198–201 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02612599
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02612599