This family covers sulfated fatty alcohols and ethoxylated alcohols (alkyl sulphates and alkyl ether sulphates) plus phenol and naphthalene sulfonates. Sulfated alcohols emulsify, wet, disperse lime soap and foam, with high electrolyte tolerance. Ether sulphates add water solubility and hardness resistance.
What sulphates and sulfonates are
This family covers sulfated fatty alcohols and ethoxylated alcohols (alkyl sulphates and alkyl ether sulphates) plus phenol and naphthalene sulfonates. Sulfated alcohols emulsify, wet, disperse lime soap and foam, with high electrolyte tolerance. Ether sulphates add water solubility and hardness resistance. Dyna Glycols manufactures them using dedicated sulfonation (oleum and other sulphating agents) to agreed active content, pH and unsulfated matter.
Phenol and naphthalene sulfonates are listed for leather and selected dispersing duties. They are not wash-product ether sulphates. Specify sulfation versus sulfonation on the enquiry.
How Dyna Glycols manufactures sulphates and sulfonates
Natural or synthetic alcohols and ethoxylates are sulfated, then converted to the sodium (or other) salt and finished to the active window. QA follows active, pH, colour, unsulfated alcohol or ethoxylate, and appearance. Custom carbon cuts and EO-mole sulphates are quoted after the starter.
Castor oil ethoxylate sulphate and EO/PO copolymer sulphate are specialty anionics for emulsification where a glyceride or low-foam backbone is required.
Typical grades in this range
Name the alcohol or ethoxylate and the salt. Typical catalogue sulphates and sulfonates are listed below.
- 2-ethylhexyl sulphate 40–45%
- Nonyl phenol and octyl phenol ethoxylate sulphates
- EO/PO copolymer sulphate; castor oil ethoxylate sulphate
- C11 alcohol ethoxylate sulphate; tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate sulphate
- Sodium cetostearyl sulphate
- Phenol sulfonate and naphthalene sulfonate
Where sulphates and sulfonates are used
Emulsion polymerisation uses alkyl ether sulphates and sulfated alkyl phenol ethoxylates as anionic latex stabilisers. Detergents, textile scouring and personal-care wash bases use alcohol and ether sulphates as primary foamers where the brief allows.
Leather uses phenol and naphthalene sulfonates as syntan-adjacent dispersants. Paints and adhesives use selected ether sulphates in polymerisation. APEO-containing NP/OP ethoxylate sulphates remain available; APEO-free alcohol ethoxylate sulphates are the substitute path.
2-ethylhexyl sulphate is a hydrotrope and wetting anionic, not a shampoo foamer. Order by duty.
How to specify sulphates and sulfonates
Send hydrophobe, EO moles if ethoxylated, % active, salt (sodium unless stated), pH, unsulfated maximum and APEO policy. For polymerisation, name the monomer system and particle-size target.
If matching a competitor SLES or NP ether sulphate, attach active, pH and unsulfated matter from that TDS.
Quality, documents and supply
Lots are released against active content, pH, unsulfated matter, colour and appearance. SDS and COA follow verification. Latex stability must be confirmed in the customer reactor, not only in a bottle foam test.
Ether sulphates can hydrolyse in the heat. Store cool, do not freeze, and follow the SDS. Low-active pastes need mixing before sampling.
Practical notes on sulphates and sulfonates
Alkyl sulphate vs alkyl ether sulphate: EO insertion improves hardness tolerance and mildness and usually lowers Kraft point. They are not interchangeable on a weight-for-weight active basis without a salt-curve trial.
Related pages: fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, phosphate esters, sulfosuccinates, adhesive chemicals, personal care. Sample the anionic with the non-ionic partner used in the latex or wash.
Naphthalene sulfonates for leather are dispersing syntan chemistry. Do not specify them as detergent foamers.
Oleum sulfonation is a dedicated plant capability. Novel hydrophobes should be discussed at enquiry so residual sulphate and colour can be kept in window.
Active content and unsulfated matter are the identity tests. Freeze them once a trial lot is approved.
English is the source language for active-content and APEO claims.
Ordering and evaluating sulphates and sulfonates
Send the application, the analytical window and the pack size when you request a laboratory sample of sulphates and sulfonates. SDS, TDS and COA follow a short company check. Handle and store the grade as the SDS describes.
Next step
Need a specification for this chemistry?
Tell us the substrate, EO/PO moles and the application. We will confirm a catalogue grade or a custom batch.