A new, improved, solid-acid catalyzed process for generating linear alkylbenzenes (LABs)

Linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) comprising >80% 2-phenyl isomer content, have been prepared in high yields from detergent-range linear olefins via regioselective benzene alkylation. HF-treated mordenites, acidic Beta-zeolites, and fluorided montmorillonite clays, each provide enhanced shape-selective alkylation performance when employed as heterogeneous catalysts in the subject syntheses. Both individual C8–C12 α-olefins, as well as mixed, commercial plant-derived, C10 through C14 paraffin dehydrogenate feedstocks containing ca. 8.5% internal olefins, have been successfully alkylated for extended periods using reactive distillation technology.