Alkylated oxidized lignins as surfactants

摘要

The invention is a method of producing surfactants from lignin which comprises subjecting lignin to two reactions, alkylation with an alkyl chain having about 3 to about 24 carbon atoms at phenolic sites, and oxidation sufficient to break the lignin into smaller polymeric and monomeric units. The invention also includes using these lignin surfactants in surfactant floods for enhanced oil recovery.