Production LABSA from LAB

The starting material LAB (linear alkyl benzene) is produced by the alkylation of benzene with n-paraffins in the presence of hydrogen fluoride (HF) or aluminium chloride (AlCl3) as a catalyst, the latest is DETAL process by UOP. LABSA is produced by the sulfonation of LAB with sulphuric acid in batch reactors. Other sulfonation alternative reagents are oleum, diluted sulfur trioxide, chlorosulfonic acid and sulfamic acid on falling film reactors.