Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, called INCI Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate, contains the most important aromatic substituent in the molecule, which is benzene. It is primarily used as a surfactant in a wide variety of detergents. It is also used in other industries, including construction and the textile industry.
Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate belongs to the group of alkyl benzene sulfonates used in laundry products. This compound (being a 50% sodium salt of alkylbenzenesulfonic acid) can be most easily searched for or identified using its CAS number: 68411-30-3. It is very well soluble in water (partially soluble in alcohol) and is effective at low concentrations. It works like an emulsifier. As a surfactant, it helps to generate micelles, which are then involved in the soil removal mechanism. It is easy to rinse it off the surface of the material (in the case of washing substances) and it doesn’t leave unpleasant residues. It is present in the form of a semi-liquid paste that delaminates (delamination does not affect the properties of the product). Its colour ranges from white to cream. It is resistant to hydrolysis in an alkaline environment (the possibility of preparing strongly alkaline washing agents for professional use).
It is a detergent massively used as one of the main ingredients of liquid washing and cleaning agents. It can also be found in some washing powders. Products containing Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate foam very well. They create high and stable foams. The foaming properties can be controlled by the use of sodium soaps and defoamers. Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate has wetting, emulsifying, dispersing and detergent properties. This substance shows synergism with non-ionic products in the washing process. It is well miscible with other ingredients of washing products, such as EDTA, enzymes, sodium carbonate and fillers.
Products with Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate as an ingredient:
Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate is recognized as a safe substance. It has been approved for marketing and use in washing products with the maximum concentration limit. This component is considered irritating in case of exceeding the permissible concentration. Like other surfactants, its irritant properties increase with increasing concentration and pH. In the case of preparations containing Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate intended to come into contact with the skin, the product should be in such a form as to minimize irritation. It has also been recognized that Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate in an environment with a pH of about nine may be potentially irritating to the eyes.
