Linear Alkyl Benzene
The feedstock for LABSA, the world's leading synthetic surfactant — behind laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid and household cleaners globally.
Chelora Chemicals supplies linear alkyl benzene to surfactant and detergent producers worldwide, with full documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 67774-74-7
- Structure
- Benzene ring with a linear C10-C13 alkyl chain
- Molecular weight
- ~240-246 g/mol (chain-length dependent)
- Boiling point
- 285-320 °C (range)
- Melting point
- < -20 °C (typical)
- Average molecular weight
- Grade dependent
- UN Number
- Not regulated
- HS Code
- 3817 00
Note: LAB average molecular weight and alkyl-chain distribution are tailored to the sulfonation process and final surfactant performance; confirm your target grade with our technical desk.
What LAB is used for
Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) is a colourless to pale yellow liquid consisting of a benzene ring substituted with a linear (straight-chain) alkyl group, typically in the C10-C13 range. It is produced by the catalytic alkylation of benzene with linear paraffins or linear alpha olefins, using HF or solid-acid (zeolite) catalyst technology.
LAB's overwhelming use is as the feedstock for linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA), produced by sulfonation, which is in turn the active surfactant base for powder and liquid laundry detergents, dishwashing liquid, and household and industrial cleaning products worldwide. LAB's linear (as opposed to branched) alkyl structure is specifically valued for the ready biodegradability of its resulting surfactants, a major driver of its adoption over older branched alkylbenzene sulfonates.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Benzene + Linear Paraffins / LAO the two feedstocks alkylated into LAB. See Benzene and Linear Alpha Olefins.
- Linear Alkyl Benzene (this product) the aromatic intermediate sulfonated into LABSA — its dominant outlet.
- LABSA / Detergent Surfactants the downstream surfactant base for laundry and household cleaning products.
Handling character
LAB is combustible and may present an aquatic hazard, though it is readily biodegradable, requiring standard industrial liquid handling. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Average molecular weight | 240-246 g/mol (grade dependent) |
| Linearity (n-paraffin content) | > 97% (typical) |
| Bromine index | Within producer specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Boiling range | 285-320 °C |
| Melting point | < -20 °C (typical) |
| Density | 0.857-0.865 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Very low (practically insoluble) |
| Flash point | > 130 °C (combustible) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 67774-74-7 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put LAB to work
The feedstock behind the world's leading biodegradable surfactant family.
LABSA production
Sulfonated into linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA), LAB's dominant and near-exclusive use.
- LABSA feed-grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Powder laundry detergent
LABSA neutralised into sodium LAS, the primary anionic surfactant in powder detergent formulations.
- Industrial-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Liquid detergents & dishwashing liquid
LABSA-derived surfactants formulated into liquid laundry and dishwashing detergent products.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Household & industrial cleaners
LABSA-derived surfactants used across general household and industrial cleaning formulations.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Agricultural surfactants
Used in agrochemical adjuvant and emulsifier formulations.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
LABSA and detergent plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Linear Alkyl Benzene
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Linearity and average molecular weight are critical to sulfonation efficiency and final detergent performance — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Linearity and molecular weight confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream sulfonation efficiency and detergent performance.
- Documentation managed end to end. Classification, labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- LABSA feed-grade material sourced to your process. Matched precisely to your sulfonation specification.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Drum, tote or bulk tank — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200-210 litre drums
Steel drums for smaller-volume orders and trial quantities.
~1,000 litre totes
Returnable or one-way IBC totes sized for mid-volume converter orders.
Large-volume bulk shipment
ISO tank or flexi-tank bulk shipment for continuous-consumption LABSA and detergent plants.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Combustible, low acute hazard — standard precautions apply
LAB is combustible and may present a mild aquatic hazard at high concentration, though it is readily biodegradable and has low acute toxicity under normal handling. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H315Causes skin irritation (mild, concentration dependent).H411Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects, at high concentration prior to biodegradation.Low acute toxicityLow acute oral and inhalation toxicity under typical industrial handling.
Avoid release to waterways prior to treatment. LAB is readily biodegradable but should not be discharged directly to the environment in concentrated form; always read the SDS issued with your specific batch.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry area away from strong oxidising agents and high-temperature ignition sources.
Handling
Standard gloves and eye protection are sufficient for normal handling. Avoid prolonged skin contact and uncontrolled discharge to drains or waterways.
Transport
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport. We confirm any destination-specific import documentation your shipment requires.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Average molecular weight, linearity and bromine index confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How LAB is made
LAB is produced industrially by the catalytic alkylation of benzene with linear paraffins or linear alpha olefins in the C10-C13 range, using either hydrofluoric acid (HF) catalysis (the traditional route) or solid-acid (zeolite) catalyst technology, which has gained share for its improved environmental and safety profile. The linear alkyl chain, as opposed to the branched structure of older alkylbenzenes, is what gives downstream LABSA its ready biodegradability.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Linear alkylbenzene (aromatic surfactant intermediate) |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Aromatic ring with a linear alkyl substituent |
| Reactivity | Sulfonation to LABSA; electrophilic aromatic substitution |
| Related compounds | Benzene, Linear Alpha Olefins (feedstocks), LABSA (downstream surfactant) |
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