Linear Alkyl Benzene
The alkylated aromatic supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the sole feedstock for linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), the world's leading synthetic surfactant — exported from Indonesia as bulk liquid with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Linear Alkyl Benzene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the product's chemistry, its singular role as the LAS surfactant feedstock, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Linear Alkyl Benzene is a benzene ring carrying a single, unbranched alkyl chain, typically in the C10 to C13 carbon-number range, attached at a random position along the chain rather than exclusively at the terminal carbon. That straight, unbranched alkyl tail attached to an aromatic head group is the exact molecular architecture a biodegradable anionic surfactant needs: the linear chain breaks down far more readily by biological processes in the environment than the branched alkylbenzenes used in earlier generations of detergent, which is the historical reason LAB displaced branched alkylbenzene as the detergent industry's feedstock of choice.
At room temperature it is a colourless to pale yellow, practically odourless oily liquid, a blend of several close alkyl-chain-length and ring-position isomers rather than a single pure compound. It is essentially the whole chemical story in one molecule: an aromatic ring for the sulfonation step that follows, and a linear hydrocarbon tail for the surfactant's hydrophobic, grease-cutting behaviour once sulfonated.
Where it fits in the value chain
Linear Alkyl Benzene has essentially one dominant industrial purpose: sulfonation (typically with sulfur trioxide or oleum) by detergent manufacturers to give linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), the most widely used synthetic anionic surfactant in the world, found in laundry powders and liquids, dishwashing liquids, and a wide range of household and industrial cleaning formulations. A much smaller volume is used, without sulfonation, in select industrial solvent and specialty chemical applications where its combination of aromatic and long-chain aliphatic character is useful.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Linear Alkyl Benzene in detergent grade (97%+ linear alkylbenzene content, C10–C13 alkyl chain range), suited to direct sulfonation for LAS surfactant manufacture. The grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Linear Alkyl Benzene is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Linear Alkyl Benzene is manufactured by Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with a linear olefin, typically a C10–C13 cut of linear alpha olefins (or, in some plants, an equivalent linear internal olefin produced by dehydrogenating n-paraffins) over an acid catalyst. The alkylating olefin's double bond attacks the benzene ring, substituting the alkyl chain onto the aromatic ring at one of several possible positions along its length, which is why commercial LAB is a mixture of 2-phenyl, 3-phenyl, 4-phenyl and other isomers rather than one single structure.
The alkylation catalyst has historically been hydrofluoric acid (HF), still used in a significant share of installed global capacity, but newer plants increasingly use solid acid or zeolite catalyst systems (processes marketed under names such as Detal), which avoid the handling and safety considerations HF requires. After alkylation, the crude product is purified by distillation to remove unreacted benzene, heavy alkylate by-products and residual olefin, giving LAB at the linearity and carbon-range specification the detergent industry requires.
Industries and processes that use it
Linear Alkyl Benzene is consumed almost entirely by the detergent industry, sulfonated to LAS surfactant for laundry and household cleaning products. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
LAS Surfactant for Laundry Detergents
Sulfonated to linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, the primary anionic surfactant in laundry powder and liquid detergent formulations worldwide.
Dishwashing & Household Cleaners
Formulated, as LAS, into dishwashing liquids and a wide range of household and institutional cleaning products.
Industrial & Agricultural Surfactants
Sulfonated LAS derivatives are also used in select industrial cleaning, emulsifier and agrochemical-formulation applications.
Specialty Solvent Applications
A smaller volume is used, without sulfonation, in select industrial solvent and specialty chemical formulations.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The aromatic ring and the attached linear alkyl chain govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Linear Alkyl Benzene is converted into a finished surfactant.
Sulfonation
Reaction with sulfur trioxide or oleum substitutes a sulfonic acid group onto the aromatic ring, giving linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.
Neutralisation
The sulfonic acid is neutralised, typically with sodium hydroxide, to give sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), the anionic surfactant salt actually formulated into detergent products.
Surfactant Formulation
The neutralised LAS is blended with builders, enzymes, brighteners and other detergent-formulation ingredients to produce the finished laundry or cleaning product.
Biodegradation (In-Use)
Once released to the environment after use, the linear alkyl chain is broken down stepwise by microbial beta-oxidation, a biodegradation pathway the linear (rather than branched) chain structure specifically enables.
Linear Alkyl Benzene against the feedstocks it is made from
Buyers sourcing LAB for surfactant manufacture often also need the two raw materials it is alkylated from. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Alkyl Benzene | 67774-74-7 | Alkylaromatic surfactant feedstock | The product on this page — the sole feedstock for LAS surfactant. |
| Benzene | 71-43-2 | Aromatic hydrocarbon (BTX) | One of the two raw materials this product is alkylated from — see its product page. |
| Linear Alpha Olefins | Varies by carbon number | Olefin family | The C10–C13 olefin cut this product is alkylated with — see its product page. |
| Paraffin Wax | 8002-74-2 | Paraffinic wax | A related refinery/specialty-chemical product on our range — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Linear Alkyl Benzene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Causes skin irritation.
Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Comparatively low acute oral and dermal toxicity relative to many industrial aromatics.
Combustible at elevated temperature; moderate flash point under normal ambient handling.
Chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses are the baseline for routine handling.
Keep out of drains and watercourses given its aquatic toxicity profile.
Warning — GHS07 harmful and GHS09 environmental hazard pictograms apply.
This compound causes skin irritation and is toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects, though it has a comparatively low acute toxicity profile among industrial aromatics. It should be handled with chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection, and spills should be contained promptly to prevent entry into drains and watercourses. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in tightly closed containers in a dry, ambient-temperature area, away from strong oxidising agents. Re-check linear alkylbenzene content, colour and bromine index on a batch held past its retest date before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Linear Alkyl Benzene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Linear Alkyl Benzene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Linear Alkyl Benzene?+
03How is Linear Alkyl Benzene made?+
04What purity grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Linear Alkyl Benzene hazardous?+
06Why did the detergent industry switch from branched to linear alkylbenzene?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply the raw materials this product is made from as well?+
Need Linear Alkyl Benzene on spec, on time?
Send us your required linearity, chain-length distribution, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.