Sulfonated aliphatic compounds

摘要

A process for incorporating sulfonic acid groups in the structure of an aliphatic, non-polar, water insoluble compound is disclosed. In the process the compound is first dissolved in an appropriate solvent and is then reacted in the presence of a catalyst and oxygen with an aqueous sulfite solution. The sulfonation renders the compound polar and water absorbent and, therefore, suitable in a variety of applications.