An evaluation of the detergency value of a series of alkylbenzene sulfonates by ultrasonic technique

Summary The soil removal efficiency of 17 sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates having alkyl residues ranging from six‐ to 18‐carbon atoms, which have been synthesized and purified especially for this work, has been described. Evaluation has been accomplished by means of an ultrasonic cone transducer capable of producing mechanical action of a very highly reproducible character and at a measurable rate of expenditure of energy. Compounds having straight‐chain alkyl residues produce generally greater detergency efficiency than the branch chain homolog. Detergent character becomes pronounced at about 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl residue, but detergency is diminished above about 14 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group because of reduced solubility.