Process for the production of stable alkyl sulphonic acid ester plasticisers of low inflammability

摘要

Alkyl sulphonic esters relatively free from unsaponifiable higher n-paraffins and of low volatility are prepared by subjecting saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures within the selected B.P. range of 235 DEG to 305 DEG C. to a partial sulphochlorination process until a hydrolysable chlorine content of up to 7% by weight based on the weight of the resulting product has been reached, and reacting the resulting product with phenols, chlorinated phenols or alcohols in the presence of a dilute solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, ammonia or amines at temperatures below 100 DEG C., and recovering the ester by known means. The preferred saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures used are those obtained from the catalytic hydrogenation of oxides of carbon or by appropriate fractionation of petroleum. The preferred reaction temperature is not higher than 20 DEG C.