Abstract: A surfactant composition comprising alkylarylsulfonate molecules wherein more than 30 wt. % of the alkylarylsulfonate molecules of the surfactant composition are species of the formula: [R—X—Ar(SO3)?]a[Mn+]b wherein: X is a linear acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbyl chain; R is bound to a non-terminal carbon atom of X and is selected from H and C1 to C3 alkyl groups; X and R together have 10 or less carbon atoms, preferably 9 or 10 carbon atoms, most preferably 10 carbon atoms; Ar is an aromatic group; M is a cation or cation mixture, n is selected from 1, 2 and 3; and a and b are selected such that the alkylarylsulfonate molecule is electroneutral.

Abstract: A surfactant composition comprising alkylarylsulfonate molecules wherein more than 30 wt. % of the alkylarylsulfonate molecules of the surfactant composition are species of the formula: [R—X—Ar(SO3)?]a[Mn+]b wherein: X is a linear acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbyl chain; R is bound to a non-terminal carbon atom of X and is selected from H and C1 to C3 alkyl groups; X and R together have 10 or less carbon atoms, preferably 9 or 10 carbon atoms, most preferably 10 carbon atoms; Ar is an aromatic group; M is a cation or cation mixture, n is selected from 1, 2 and 3; and a and b are selected such that the alkylarylsulfonate molecule is electroneutral.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkoxylation catalyst wherein a catalyst precursor which is formed from an alkoxylated alcohol and an alkaline earth metal compound to form a dispersion of an alkaline earth metal species is reacted with propylene oxide to propoxylate at least a portion of the ethoxylated alcohol.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkoxylation catalyst wherein a catalyst precursor which is formed from an alkoxylated alcohol and an alkaline earth metal compound to form a dispersion of an alkaline earth metal species is reacted with propylene oxide to propoxylate at least a portion of the ethoxylated alcohol.

Abstract: A process for alkoxylating an organic carbonate wherein an alkylene oxide is reacted with an organic carbonate such as a dialkyl carbonate in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a calcium-containing catalyst to produce alkoxylated carbonates.

Abstract: A process for sulfonating internal olefins wherein a dilute solution of the internal olefins in an inert hydrocarbon solvent is sulfonated to produce a reaction mixture containing intermediate sulfonated compounds, the intermediate sulfonated compounds in the reaction mixture being neutralized under conditions to form neutralized sulfonated compounds, the neutralized sulfonated compounds in the reaction mixture being hydrolyzed to form a product mixture containing hydroxy alkane sulfonates and alkene sulfonates that are then recovered.