SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) is a common surfactant and detergent ingredient. Its chemical formula is C12H25O(CH2CH2O)nSO3Na, where n represents the number of ethylene oxide (EO) units.
To produce SLES without using an ether process, an alternative method called the fatty alcohol process can be employed. Here's a general outline of the process:
Start with lauryl alcohol (dodecanol), which is a fatty alcohol derived from natural sources such as coconut or palm oil.
React lauryl alcohol with sulfur trioxide (SO3) gas or sulfur trioxide in solution, resulting in the formation of lauryl sulfate (C12H25SO3H).
Neutralize lauryl sulfate with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or another suitable alkali to produce sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is the precursor to SLES.
To convert SLS to SLES, ethylene oxide (EO) can be added to the reaction mixture. The number of ethylene oxide units added determines the value of 'n' in the chemical formula.
The specific conditions and parameters of the reaction may vary depending on the desired properties of the final product. It's important to note that this is a general overview, and the exact procedure and details may differ in industrial-scale production.
Please remember that the production of surfactants and detergents involves handling potentially hazardous chemicals, so it should only be carried out by professionals in appropriate facilities following applicable safety protocols and regulations.