Linear Alkyl Benzene CAS 67774-74-7
Chelora Chemicals supplies detergent-grade linear alkyl benzene to sulphonation plants and detergent producers worldwide. Every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA covering linearity, alkyl chain distribution, bromine index and colour, the current SDS and full export documentation.
Also known as: LAB · Linear alkylbenzene · Detergent alkylate · LAS feedstock · Alkylbenzene
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Linear Alkyl Benzene, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (linearity, chain distribution, bromine index, colour)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and export documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Linear Alkyl Benzene?
Linear alkyl benzene is a benzene ring carrying a straight-chain alkyl group of 10 to 13 carbons, made by alkylating benzene with linear paraffins or alpha olefins.
It exists for one reason: sulphonation to linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, the workhorse anionic surfactant in laundry and dishwashing detergents worldwide.
Linearity is the whole point. The branched alkylbenzene it replaced in the 1960s did not biodegrade and caused persistent foaming in rivers; the linear version degrades readily, which is why it became and remains the industry standard.
LAB is a benign liquid to handle — not classified as dangerous goods — and quality is judged almost entirely on linearity, chain distribution and the impurities that affect sulphonation colour.
Why linear alkyl benzene specifically
- Biodegradability. The straight chain is readily attacked by microbial beta-oxidation, unlike the branched alkylate it replaced.
- Low cost per unit of detergency. LAS remains the cheapest effective anionic surfactant at scale.
- Consistent sulphonation. Predictable behaviour in SO₃ film sulphonation, which detergent plants depend on.
- Chain length tuning. Average chain length adjusts solubility and detergency for different formulations and water hardness.
How Linear Alkyl Benzene is Manufactured
LAB is made by alkylating benzene with linear paraffins or olefins, using HF or solid acid catalysis.
- Paraffin feed. C10 to C13 n-paraffins are separated from kerosene by molecular sieve adsorption.
- Dehydrogenation. Paraffins are dehydrogenated over a platinum catalyst to the corresponding linear mono-olefins.
- Selective hydrogenation. Dienes formed in dehydrogenation are hydrogenated back, since they cause colour in sulphonation.
- Alkylation. Benzene is alkylated with the olefins over HF or a solid acid catalyst such as the Detal process.
- Benzene and paraffin recovery. Unreacted benzene and paraffins are distilled off and recycled.
- Fractionation. Heavy alkylate is removed and the LAB cut is distilled to the specified chain distribution and colour.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of commercial detergent-grade LAB. Tell us your sulphonation plant and formulation and we will advise on the chain distribution you should specify.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Linearity | 92% min, typically 95%+ from solid acid plants |
| Average molecular weight | 238 to 243 g/mol |
| Alkyl chain distribution | C10 to C13, average about C11.6 |
| Bromine index | 10 max |
| Colour (Saybolt) | +30 min |
| Tetralin content | To grade, typically 1.0% max |
| Water | To grade, typically 100 ppm max |
| Sulphur | To grade, typically 5 ppm max |
| Sulphonation colour (Klett) | To grade, typically 30 max |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₆H₅CₙH₂ₙ₊₁ with n = 10 to 13 |
| Average molecular weight | About 240 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless to pale yellow liquid, mild odour |
| Boiling range | About 280 to 320 °C |
| Density | About 0.86 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Flash point | About 140 °C (closed cup) |
| Viscosity | About 5 mPa·s at 20 °C |
| Pour point | Below −40 °C |
| Solubility in water | Practically insoluble |
| Biodegradability | Readily biodegradable as the sulphonate |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidisers and strong acids other than in controlled sulphonation |
Behaviour in the process
LAB is a stable, easy liquid to handle, with quality defined by what sulphonation will do to it:
- Sulphonates cleanly. Reacts with SO₃ in a falling film reactor to give the sulphonic acid, which is then neutralised.
- Colour develops on sulphonation. Unsaturates and cyclic by-products darken under SO₃; the incoming bromine index predicts this.
- Chain length sets performance. Shorter chains give better solubility and hard-water tolerance; longer chains give better detergency.
- Very low volatility. Flash point near 140 °C means it handles as a combustible rather than flammable liquid.
LAB Grades and Alternative Surfactant Feedstocks
LAB is bought on linearity, chain distribution and sulphonation colour, with the alkylation technology behind the product mattering more than people expect.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Solid acid route LAB | 95%+ linearity | Premium detergent applications where sulphonate colour matters |
| HF route LAB | 92 to 94% linearity | General detergent manufacture; the established product |
| Alpha olefin sulphonates | From linear alpha olefins | Milder surfactants for personal care and specialty detergents |
| Fatty alcohol sulphates | From oleochemical alcohols | Renewable feedstock alternative with different performance profile |
| Nonionic ethoxylates | From alcohols and ethylene oxide | Complementary rather than substitute surfactant chemistry |
Stated plainly: LAS remains the cheapest effective anionic surfactant and is unlikely to be displaced on cost. Oleochemical alternatives compete on renewable content rather than performance, and most formulations blend anionic and nonionic surfactants anyway.
Industries We Supply Linear Alkyl Benzene To
LAB serves detergent manufacture almost exclusively.
Where Linear Alkyl Benzene is Used
Virtually all LAB goes to sulphonation for detergent surfactants.
In sulphonation
LAB is sulphonated with gaseous SO₃ in a falling film reactor, then digested and neutralised with caustic soda to sodium LAS. The reaction is fast and exothermic, and colour is the main quality variable: the bromine index and tetralin content of the incoming LAB predict the Klett colour of the finished sulphonic acid more reliably than its own appearance does.
Chain length and formulation
Average chain length around C11.6 is the industry norm because it balances detergency against solubility and hard-water tolerance. Shorter average chains suit cold-water and hard-water formulations; longer chains give better oily soil removal but are more sensitive to calcium. Formulators specify the distribution, not just the average.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the chain distribution and sulphonation colour your plant requires, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with bromine index and sulphonation colour reported because they predict the finished sulphonate quality.
- Linearity — the defining quality figure, determining biodegradability and performance.
- Alkyl chain distribution and average molecular weight — setting detergency and solubility.
- Bromine index — measuring residual unsaturation that darkens on sulphonation.
- Tetralin content — the cyclic by-product that also causes colour.
- Sulphonation colour — a direct laboratory test predicting finished sulphonic acid colour.
- Water, sulphur and Saybolt colour — confirming freedom from contamination.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When LAB causes trouble, it is usually colour, chain distribution or linearity. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphonic acid colour too dark | Bromine index or tetralin content high | Bromine index, tetralin and sulphonation colour figures |
| Detergency below target | Chain distribution shifted shorter | Chain distribution and average molecular weight |
| Poor solubility in hard water | Chain distribution shifted longer | Chain distribution against the formulation and water hardness |
| Biodegradability questioned | Linearity below specification | Linearity figure and alkylation route |
| SO₃ consumption higher than expected | Average molecular weight different from assumption | Molecular weight figure and sulphonation dosing |
| Odour in the finished product | Sulphur or trace contamination | Sulphur figure and tank cleanliness |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 200 L drums, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcel cargoes.
- Storage. Clean, dry, covered storage at ambient temperature; LAB is combustible rather than flammable.
- Material compatibility. Carbon steel and stainless steel are both suitable; stainless preferred where colour matters.
- Contamination control. Keep tanks and lines clean; carry-over from previous cargoes shows as colour in the sulphonate.
- Moisture. Keep dry; water in the feed interferes with SO₃ sulphonation.
- Segregation. Keep apart from strong oxidisers.
- Shelf life. Typically 24 months in sealed storage; colour and bromine index are the practical checks.
- Transport classification. Not classified as dangerous goods for transport.
Hazards & Safe Handling
LAB is a combustible liquid with low toxicity and is not classified as dangerous goods. The practical concerns are aspiration hazard and skin defatting rather than acute toxicity.
- Low toxicity. Not classified as acutely toxic; LAB is among the more benign industrial intermediates.
- Aspiration hazard. Swallowing and aspirating liquid hydrocarbon can cause chemical pneumonitis. Never induce vomiting.
- Skin defatting. Repeated contact removes natural oils and causes dermatitis; use gloves for prolonged handling.
- Combustible liquid. Flash point about 140 °C; not a flammable-liquid hazard but it will burn in a fire.
- Eye irritation. Mild irritant on direct contact; use eye protection during transfer.
- Sulphonation hazards. The downstream SO₃ reaction is the hazardous step, not the LAB itself; the sulphonation plant SDS governs.
- Environment. Poorly soluble but harmful to aquatic life; prevent entry to drains and watercourses.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
LAB is unregulated for transport, with detergent and biodegradability regulation applying downstream. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Generally classified only for aspiration hazard and aquatic toxicity.
- Transport. Not classified as dangerous goods. Standard packaged and bulk cargo documentation applies.
- Detergent regulation. EU Detergents Regulation and equivalent rules require ready biodegradability of surfactants, which linear alkylbenzene sulphonate satisfies and branched alkylate does not.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories.
- Consumer product rules. Downstream detergent products face labelling, phosphate and ingredient disclosure requirements.
- Quality agreements. Detergent producers commonly expect documented linearity, chain distribution and sulphonation colour limits with change control.
We Supply Linear Alkyl Benzene Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Linear Alkyl Benzene from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying Linear Alkyl Benzene from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For LAB that means settling three things at enquiry: the chain distribution your formulation requires, the sulphonation colour your plant needs, and the packing and bulk logistics into your sulphonation unit.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (linearity, chain distribution, bromine index, colour), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a pallet of drums through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Detergent-grade LAB at the linearity, chain distribution and sulphonation colour your plant requires.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Benzene, Linear Alpha Olefins, Ethylene Oxide and other feedstocks alongside Linear Alkyl Benzene from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
Linear Alkyl Benzene — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Linear Alkyl Benzene. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of linear alkyl benzene?
The CAS number commonly used for LAB is 67774-74-7, with EC number 267-051-0. Its average molecular weight is about 240 g/mol, and it is classified under HS code 3817.00.
What is LAB used for?
Almost entirely for sulphonation to linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, the main anionic surfactant in laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids and household and industrial cleaners.
Do you supply LAB worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports linear alkyl benzene worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India, in drums, flexitanks, ISO tanks and bulk.
Why does linearity matter so much?
Because the straight alkyl chain is readily biodegraded by microbial beta-oxidation, while the branched alkylate it replaced persisted in the environment and caused river foaming. Detergent regulations now require ready biodegradability.
How is LAB manufactured?
By separating C10 to C13 n-paraffins from kerosene, dehydrogenating them to linear olefins, selectively hydrogenating the dienes, then alkylating benzene with the olefins over HF or a solid acid catalyst, followed by fractionation.
What is bromine index and why is it specified?
It measures residual unsaturation in the LAB. Unsaturates darken severely during SO₃ sulphonation, so a low bromine index predicts a pale sulphonic acid. A water-white LAB with a high bromine index will still give dark sulphonate.
What does alkyl chain length control?
Detergency, solubility and hard-water tolerance. Shorter chains dissolve better and tolerate calcium; longer chains remove oily soil more effectively. The industry norm averages around C11.6, and formulators specify the distribution.
Is LAB hazardous?
No, in handling terms it is benign. It is not classified as dangerous goods, has low toxicity and a flash point around 140 °C. The hazards in the chain are in the SO₃ sulphonation step rather than in the LAB.
What is the difference between HF and solid acid route LAB?
Solid acid alkylation, such as the Detal process, typically gives higher linearity, around 95% or more against 92 to 94% for HF, and avoids handling hydrogen fluoride. Detergent producers generally value the higher linearity.
Can LAB be replaced by renewable surfactants?
Fatty alcohol sulphates and alpha olefin sulphonates from oleochemical routes compete on renewable content rather than cost. LAS remains the cheapest effective anionic surfactant and most formulations continue to use it.
How should LAB be stored?
In clean, dry, covered storage at ambient temperature in carbon or stainless steel, kept free of contamination and moisture since both affect sulphonation colour and efficiency.
What packing sizes are available?
200 L drums, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcel cargoes. Orders run from a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk cargoes on contract supply.
Ready to source Linear Alkyl Benzene?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.