Process for preparing a fatty acyl isethionate salt

US6184399A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• AKZO NOBEL N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Claus-Peter Zok · Niederzier, DE
• Franz Jansen · Castries, FR
• Albert Van De Berg · Kreuzau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 16, 1999
• Grant date: Feb 6, 2001
• Expiry date: Sep 16, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C303/32
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process is provided for preparing a fatty acyl isethionate salt of the formula R.sup.1 C(O)OR.sup.2 SO.sub.3 M which comprises reacting at least one fatty acid of the formula R.sup.1 C(O)OH with at least one hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid salt of the formula HOR.sup.2 SO.sub.3 M in the presence of a catalyst, and distilling off water, wherein R.sup.1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having 5 to 31 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is a linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and M is lithium, sodium, potassium, or ammonium and is characterised in that a foam control agent comprising a silicone oil is added. The foam control agent is added preferably once the reaction mixture is homogeneous. The process is suitably carried out with substantially equimolar amounts of fatty acid and hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid salt, preferably without distilling off any fatty acid.