POLYALKYLATED ARYLALKYL SULFONIC ACIDS AND THEIR SALTS

The present invention discloses a process for producing polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids by reacting arylalkyl sulfonic acids with olefins. The polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids may be further neutralized with alkalis or amines to form the corresponding sulfonated salts. The present invention also makes possible manufacture of polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids as first intent products using an inexpensive and simple reaction. The structure of the polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids produced using the process described in the present invention is shown below: (see formula above) Where R1, R2 and R3 are each separately and independently H, alkyl (branched or linear C1 to C30), (-CH2CH2O)a, (-CH(CH3)CH2O)b, or (-CH2CH2O)c(-CH2(CH3)CH2O)d, m + n = 8 to 28 R4 = CH2CH3, CH2CH3Y or Y(CH2)p CH(CH2)q Y p + q = 0 to 27 a = 1 to 30 b = 1 to 30 c+d = 2 to 30 Y = CH3, COOH, CH2OH, CH2(-CH2CH2O)a, CH2(-CH(CH3)CH2O)b, CH2 (-CH2CH2O)c(-CH2(CH3)CH2O)d, aromatic, or substituted aromatic.