SURFACE ACTIVE SULFONATES AND PROCESS OF PREPARING SAME BY THE REACTION OF ALPHA OLEFINS AND BISULFITE

Surface active alkane sulfonates prepared by agitating an aqueous solution of a bisulfite and an alcoholic solution of an olefin of seven to 20 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof in the presence of a small quantity of a diazo or azobis compound such as azobisisobutyronitrile, azobis-( alpha , gamma -dimethylvaleronitrile) or diazoaminobenzene serving as a free radical-forming initiating catalyst. During the course of the reaction, a dispersion of a two phase system is maintained and the temperature of the reaction is kept below the boiling point of the alcohol used. The products are hydrolysis and heat stable, have excellent color and are useful as textile softeners, textile anti-static agents, emulsifying agents, wetting agents, dyeing assistants, bio-degradable detergents, lubricants, dispersing agents, and the like. The products can be employed as the clear reaction mixture at the end of the reaction or as a solid material after evaporation of the alcohol or the alcohol and water therefrom.