Patent GB-349527-A (GB)
Title: A process for sulphonating higher fatty acids and their derivatives
IPC: C11C3/00
Filed: 1930-01-21
Abstract: Products obtained by sulphonating aliphatic carboxylic acids containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule, or their derivatives, e.g. esters, acid chlorides, anhydrides, polymerization products and oxy or chlor derivatives, in the presence of mixed anhydrides of acetic acid or homologues thereof with inorganic oxyacids, except sulphuric acid, are used as fat splitting agents. In an example, castor oil is treated simultaneously with sulphuric acid and the mixed anhydride of acetic and boric acid.  The fatty acids may be first slightly sulphonated before addition of the mixed anhydride, and the latter may also be reacted with the fatty acid, whereby the mixed anhydride of the fatty and inorganic acids is formed before sulphonation.  The mixed anhydrides of acetic acid and its homologues with boric acid, sulphurous acid, chromic acid and the oxyacids of phosphorus are specified, and examples of esters of fatty acids which may be sulphonated are maize oil, olive oil, whale oil, and linseed oil.  The fatty acids obtained by the oxidation and hydrolysis of ground nut oil, by treatment with sodium hypochlorite may also be used.  Hydrocarbons such as xylene, toluene, naphthalene and their hydrogenation products may be simultaneously condensed and sulphonated with the fatty acids. The auxiliary agents used according to Specifications 293,690, 312,283, [both in Class 2 (iii), Dyes &c.], and 347,592, may be added in addition to the mixed anhydrides during the sulphonation.ALSO:Aliphatic carboxylic acids containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule or their derivatives, e.g. esters, acid chlorides, anhydrides, polymerization products and oxy or chlor derivatives, are sulphonated in the presence of mixed anhydrides of acetic acids or homologues thereof with inorganic oxyacids, except sulphuric acid.  The products are fat-splitting agents and assistants in the textile and leather industries.  In an example, castor oil is treated simultaneously with sulphuric acid and the mixed anhydride of acetic and boric acids.  The fatty acids may be first slightly sulphonated before addition of the mixed anhydride, and the latter may also be reacted with the fatty acid, whereby the mixed anhydride of the fatty and inorganic acids is formed before sulphonation which then takes place without water being liberated. The mixed anhydrides of acetic acid and its homologues with boric acid, sulphurous acid, chromic acid and the oxyacids of phosphorus are specified and examples of esters of fatty acids which may be sulphonated are maize oil, olive oil, whale oil and linseed oil.  The fatty acids obtained by the oxidation and hydrolysis of ground nut oil, by treatment with sodium hypochlorite may also be used. Hydrocarbons such as xylene, toluene, naphthalene and their hydrogenation products may be simultaneously condensed and sulphonated with the fatty acids and the phosphorus compounds used according to Specification 293,690, [Class 2 (iii), Dyes &c.], may be added in addition to the mixed anhydrides, particularly when a sulphonating agent comprising free sulphur trioxide is employed.  The auxiliary compounds used according to Specification 312,283, [Class 2 (iii), Dyes &c.], comprising salts of acetic acid and its homologues and their oxy, chlor, sulpho and oxychlor derivatives, and also aliphatic oxysulphonic acids, sulphuric esters thereof and carbylsulphate as used in the process of Specification 347,492 may likewise be present during the sulphonation.