Analkylbenzene is a chemical compound that contains a monocyclic aromatic ring attaching to one or more saturated hydrocarbon chains.[1] Alkylbenzenes are derivatives ofbenzene, in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced byalkyl groups. The simplest member,toluene (or methylbenzene), has the hydrogen atom of the benzene ring replaced by amethyl group. The chemical formula of alkylbenzenes is CnH2n-6.[2]
Alkylbenzenes are a very important class ofhydrocarbons, especially in the synthetic production industry. It is the raw material in the production of syntheticsulfonate detergents, which are found in a variety of household products such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent, etc.Linear alkylbenzenes (LAB) and branched alkylbenzenes (BAB) are families of alkylbenzene used to preparesynthetic sulfonates. However, LABs are more industrially favoured since the discovery of its extensive biodegradable yield over BAB-based sulfonates in the 1960s.[3]
| Parent compound: | Alkylbenzenes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Benzene |  Toluene | ||
| Xylenes | |||
 o-xylene |  m-xylene |  p-xylene | |
| Trimethylbenzenes | |||
 hemimellitene |  pseudocumene |  mesitylene | |
| Tetramethylbenzenes | |||
 prehnitene |  isodurene |  durene | |
| Miscellaneous | |||
 ethylbenzene |  cumene |  p-cymene | |
Alkylbenzene isomers can be differentiated by observing the position of alkylsubstituents on the benzene ring usingchemical ionization-proton exchange mass spectrometry. ConventionalGC-MS yields limited results because the isomers have identicalmolecular weight and substituents.[6]
Some alkylbenzenes such as toluene, trimethylbenzenes, and tetramethylbenzenes occur naturally in coaltar oil and as byproducts of the crude oilrefinery process. Others can be prepared by Friedel-Crafts alkylation.[3]
Alkylbenzenes used to be synthesized fromtetrapropylene, however, the reaction is now rarely used because of the low biodegradable alkylbenzene sulfonates it yields.[3]
Alkylbenzenes are flammable. Most of them are eye and skin irritants and pose an acute health hazard when ingested. Alkylbenzenes are toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
Alkylbenzenes are the primary raw material in making synthetic alkylbenzene sulfonates. Synthetic sulfonates are the most widely useddetergents, as industrial oil,emulsifiers,demulsifiers,rust inhibitors,dispersants,surfactants for enhanced oil recovery, ore-floatation agents, and wetting agents, among others. LABs such as alkylbenzene, dialkylbenzene, and alkyltoluene are most commonly used to prepare sulfonate detergents.[4]
Some less substituted alkylbenzenes such as toluene and xylene are commonly used as solvents industrially.
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