GB810574A - Preparation of sulfonates - Google Patents

Abstract

Sulphonic acids or sulphonyl halide derivatives of hydrocarbons are formed by reacting the hydrocarbon and sulphur dioxide together with oxygen or oxygen and halogen in the presence of high-energy ionizing radiation. Neutrons, beta-rays, or preferably gamma rays may be used and derived from a Van der Graaf accelerator, radio-active substances including isotopes, and fission products from an atomic pile. Hydrocarbons treated include aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic hydrocarbons containing 10 to 30 C atoms. Preferably the sulphur dioxide or other reactant gases are used in excess of stoichiometric proportions. Specification 785,611 is referred to.ALSO:Sulphonic acids or sulphonyl halide derivatives of hydrocarbons are formed by reacting the hydrocarbon and sulphur dioxide together with oxygen, or oxygen and halogen, in the presence of high energy ionising radiation. Neutrons, beta-rays, or preferably gamma rays may be used, and derived from a Van der Graaf accelerator, radio-active substances including isotopes and fission products from an atomic pile. Hydrocarbons treated are aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons containing 10 to 30 C atoms, e.g. cetane, paraffin wax; benzene, toluene, xyline; olefines and naphthenes. In examples: (1) sulphur dioxide and oxygen are bubbled through cetane at 75 DEG F. while treated with gamma rays from cobalt 60. After 130 hours the liquid was treated with nitrogen to remove surplus SO2; the resulting liquid contained 2.2 mols. per cent of cetyl sulphonic acid; (2) sulphur dioxide, chlorine and oxygen are bubbled through cetane at 77 DEG F. for 2 hours in the presence of gamma rays. The reaction may be effected under pressure. The reaction mixture was blown with nitrogen and contained cetyl sulphonyl chloride and cetyl sulphonate in a mol. ratio of 6:1. Alkyl chlorides are absent, chlorine may be replaced by iodine or bromine. The sulphonyl chloride may be hydrolized and converted to the calcium sulphonate by diluting with heptane and adding an equal volume of water containing suspended hydrated lime. The bulk of the water separates and is removed leaving an emulsion which is broken by adding CaCl2 solution. The oily layer is separated and freed from solvent. Specification 785,611 is referred to.