Sulphates and Sulfonates

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

Dyna Glycols supports sulphates and sulfonates with laboratory samples, current SDS, TDS and COA from the Kandla SEZ manufacturing network. Tell us the intended application, the substrate, the required moles or molecular weight, and any limits on colour, odour, cloud point, hydroxyl value, pH or residual feedstock. A matching catalogue grade of sulphates and sulfonates in the Sulphates and Sulfonates family can then be confirmed, or a custom batch can be planned on the ethoxylation, esterification or related plant.

When you evaluate sulphates and sulfonates, send the competitor grade if one exists, the bath or emulsion conditions, and the tests your receiving laboratory will run. Pack options for sulphates and sulfonates typically include drums, IBCs and bulk where the viscosity and melting point of the selected grade allow safe handling from the Sulphates and Sulfonates manufacturing line.

A first order of sulphates and sulfonates is easier when the purchase specification lists identity tests, not only a local trade name. Hydroxyl value, saponification value, acid value, cloud point, pH, water, colour and appearance are the numbers the Kandla QA laboratory can lock. If your QC uses a different solvent or a different cloud-point electrolyte for sulphates and sulfonates, write that method on the order so the COA speaks the same language.

Custom lots of sulphates and sulfonates are quoted after the hydrophobe or acid/alcohol pair, the target analytical window, the annual volume and the pack. Pilot batches are available when a catalogue point in the Sulphates and Sulfonates range is close but not exact. Once a trial lot is approved, that TDS should be frozen so the tenth delivery of sulphates and sulfonates matches the first approved drum.

Storage of sulphates and sulfonates should follow the SDS: keep containers closed, protect hygroscopic grades from moisture, and warm high-melt or high-mole grades until uniform before sampling. FIFO rotation protects colour and odour. If a drum of sulphates and sulfonates has frozen or separated in transit, homogenise it before charging a batch; do not decant only the liquid layer.

Application advice for sulphates and sulfonates is given against the process you describe, not as a universal recipe. Share machine type, temperature, pH, electrolytes, fibre or hide type, and any ban on APEO, formaldehyde or food-contact lists. Dyna Glycols can then sample sulphates and sulfonates alone or as a pair with a sister grade from the same Sulphates and Sulfonates family so compatibility is checked in one evaluation.

Documentation for sulphates and sulfonates is issued after a short verification of the company and the exact grade name. SDS covers handling; TDS covers typical properties; COA covers the shipping lot. If a customer audit needs extra tests on sulphates and sulfonates (for example residual feedstock, peroxide, formaldehyde or a pharmacopoeia-style identity), list those tests at the enquiry stage so they are built into release rather than added after dispatch.

Export packing and labelling of sulphates and sulfonates follow the transport class on the SDS. Regular industrial shipments from the Indian manufacturing network can be scheduled once the grade is approved. For development quantities of sulphates and sulfonates, laboratory samples are the correct first step; they let wetting, emulsification, retanning, finishing or textile handle be proven in your own equipment before a bulk campaign is booked on the Sulphates and Sulfonates plant.