It is a chemistry of detergent.

1. Wetting agents are chemical substances that can reduce the surface tension of water.
Cohesive forces between molecules cause the surface of a liquid to contract to the
smallest possible surface area. Attractive forces between molecules of the same type
are called cohesive forces. Attractive forces between molecules of different types are
called adhesive forces. When surface tension is lowered, means weakening the cohesive
properties of the liquid and strengthening adhesive properties of the liquid.

2. Surface Tension of water γ(N/m)
• Water at 20ºC 0.0728 N/m
Alkyl aryl sulfonates had been introduced to the market for the first
time in the 1930’s and shortly after in 1945 they had become the main
industrial surfactant component. The process for producing this
surfactant involves a reaction between benzene and propylene
tetramer which forms alkyl aryl. Following this, the sulfonation of alkyl
aryl creates alkyl aryl sulfonates. The biggest downside of these
surfactants is their non- biodegradability. The longer chain members of
this family with C14 – C30. The surfactants used in this research were
made from oligomers of propylene. The advantage of alkyl aryl
sulfonate surfactants is their availablity of the raw material at low cost
in the market.

3. Until the mid 1960, this largest of synthetic surfactant class was most prominently represented by
tetrapropylenebenzenesulfonate (TPS). It was found that branched chain present in TPS prevents the
compound from undergoing efficient biodegradation. Thus, means were developed to replace it by
more biodegradable linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

4. Alkyl aryl sulfonates are used in different fields because of their effective performance. Apart from its effective performance it has very
interesting foaming characteristics. The main purpose of this ingredient is dishwashing liquid or all purpose cleansers. which are of great
significance to its use in detergents.It is employed in formulations for liquid detergents because of its high solubility.They are also used for
treating pigments, finishing paper and in making of water colors, as additives for cement, as well as wetting and spreading insecticides and
herbicides and to improve their penetration. They can also be used in mixtures with sodium bisulfate or with alkaline builders in compounding
industrial cleaning agents.In the paper industry for making ground wood for mechanical pulp, separation of fibres, bleaching and rinsing.
Chemical Formula C12H25C6H4SO3Na
Chemical Name Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate,sdbs
CAS Number 25155-30-0
Structure
Molecular weight 348 g/mol
Viscosity at 25°C (Pa•sec) 0.0045
pH 7-10.5
Apparent Density 0.18 g/cc
Surface tension of 0.1% of active material (N/m) 0.03
Ionic nature Anionic
Appearance of solution at 20°C Clear liquid
Foam height of 0.1 % active material solution Initial (cm) : 18
Final [after 5 min] (cm) :17
Ultraviolet absorption λmax (µm) 225
Primary biodegradation OECD confirmatory test % MBAS/BiAS/DAS removal 90-95