Benzenesulfonic Acid, 4-C10-13-Sec-Alkyl Derivs. often appears in the industry as a raw material that shapes many everyday products. Known under the HS Code 29041090, this compound represents a family of alkylbenzenesulfonic acids where linear or branched secondary alkyl chains (ranging from 10 to 13 carbons) are linked to a benzenesulfonic acid core at the para position. Most people don’t realize this substance plays a behind-the-scenes role in things like cleaning agents, surfactants, and emulsifiers. It brings practical chemical features that chemists and factory operators use to build effective cleaning power and reliable formulations in the manufacturing process.
The structure comes down to a benzene ring, sulfonated at one position, and ringed with a secondary alkyl chain between 10 and 13 carbon atoms long at the para (4-) site. It shows up with a typical molecular formula close to C16H26O3S to C19H32O3S, depending on the exact chain length. This range means the product is not a single pure molecule but a technical mixture, which changes slightly batch to batch. Each molecule has the same reactive sulfonic acid group, making the substance water-soluble, yet the long hydrocarbon tail brings greasy, hydrophobic qualities. So, people get a product that mixes well both with water and oil, which explains the effectiveness in detergent blends. Its density sits around 1.05 to 1.10 g/cm³, bridging the gap between dense syrupy liquids and less viscous oils.
Benzenesulfonic Acid, 4-C10-13-Sec-Alkyl Derivs. shows up most often as a brown to amber colored viscous liquid or sticky solid. Some batches crystallize into chunky plates or appear as soft flakes, depending on storage temperature. Powder and pearls pop up less, usually as dried down forms for special manufacturing needs. Most suppliers offer it in a 96-98% purity liquid state, with some water present to help handling. Strong odor follows from the sulfonic and aromatic backbone, and the acidic property jumps out as the pH reads well below 2 in solution, which means corrosive handling protocol applies. It melts at 30°C and shifts to fluid liquid without uniform crystals, so heat and cold matter if storage stability is important. Dosing pump operators often juggle between heating, agitating, and keeping product from clumping as weather swings in the warehouse.
What really matters on the chemical side is the surfactant power. The sulfonic acid group locks in water attraction, while the C10-13 alkyl tail drives oil and dirt solubility. Add both together, and this acid chews through grease, breaks up grime, and shoves foreign particles out of fabrics, hard surfaces, and industrial equipment. This product does not play well with strong oxidizers like nitric acid, which can break down the organic backbone, and staying away from strong bases like sodium hydroxide avoids unwanted exothermic splashing. Benzenesulfonic Acid, 4-C10-13-Sec-Alkyl Derivs. reacts energetically in neutralization to make sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate salts, widely known as the backbone materials in powder and liquid detergent formulas. Raw material buyers pay close attention to the acid value, as it guides how much base is needed to reach the right salt for finished consumer goods.
This chemical underpins a giant chunk of the modern cleaning and laundering business. Factories buy in drums and IBCs by the ton because major brands use it in dishwashing liquids, powder detergents, soap bars, and industrial degreasers. Degreasing and emulsification come with the territory, and performance in hard or soft water explains its staying power over other surfactants. Quick solubility and compatibility with builders, phosphonates, and enzymes round out its appeal. Its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail) carries through to wastewater treatment as well, where it helps flocculate oily sludge and clean up contaminated water. Small-scale contract manufacturers see it as a flexible input that slots into countless cleaning products, from floor gels to vehicle washes and even specialty industrial cleaners for textiles and mining operations.
Benzenesulfonic Acid, 4-C10-13-Sec-Alkyl Derivs. does not act benign, and safety remains front and center for workplace users. It shows strong corrosive effects on skin and eyes, so lab operators reach for gloves, goggles, and chemical-resistant aprons every time that drum lid cracks open. Splash risk follows anyone transferring from tank to reactor. Inhalation of vapors or dust from powdered material (using the rare solid form) causes respiratory irritation, coughing, and possible longer-term harm if exposed day in and day out. Environmental regulations call for careful spillage management, since runoff pounds aquatic life by disturbing cell membranes and destabilizing water chemistry. MSDS labels require hazard pictograms—acid, exclamation, and environmental toxicity. Storage in vented, acid-resistant tanks avoids swelling and leaks, while keeping the area cool, dry, and shaded. Waste disposal never goes down the drain, since municipal waste treatment plants filter for these compounds.
Modern compliance sets a high standard for handling and usage. The European Union REACH regulation and EPA guidelines flag Benzenesulfonic Acid, 4-C10-13-Sec-Alkyl Derivs. for aquatic toxicity and potential long-term harm to fish and water insects. Manufacturers track discharge limits and invest in neutralization or advanced filtration to avoid fines and environmental damage. Product documentation spells out full composition, acid value, and residual unreacted hydrocarbons, which helps downstream buyers prepare their own product safety dossiers. Restriction on raw materials, especially for ultra-green products, means innovative companies look at bio-based replacements and keep one foot in the evolving regulatory landscape.
Addressing safety and ecology starts upstream with R&D. Newer process routes trim unreacted hydrocarbons, reduce aromatic byproducts, and yield higher purity. Secondary containment and real-time pH meters make storage safer, especially in high-turnover facilities. On the workspace front, regular training and easy access to safety gear lower the risk of chemical burns and inhalation. For environmental solutions, switching out some traditional alkyl chains for biodegradable or plant-derived chains helps reduce lifelong aquatic toxicity. Cleaner process water cycles and in-plant neutralization units help keep effluent under control. Pressure mounts for companies to publish transparency reports, so responsible sourcing becomes a badge of trust in global supply chains.
Benzenesulfonic Acid, 4-C10-13-Sec-Alkyl Derivs. stands as an unglamorous foundation, turning raw material barrels into clean clothes, shiny dishes, and degreased shop floors. The blend of chemistry, safety, and environmental duty challenges anyone working with it to think beyond raw specs and toward real-world impact. Companies ready to adapt push the science forward—not just complying but finding smarter, safer, and friendlier ways to get the cleaning power that modern life expects.
