α-Olefin sulfonate

[1] The compounds contain a - mostly linear, primary - alkyl R and a monovalent cation M, preferably sodium.

The commercially available olefin sulfonates are mostly solutions with about 40% active ingredient content.

[4][5] In addition to a longer hydrocarbon chain in which there must be at least one double bond (hence the name "olefin"), it has an anionic sulfonate headgroup with a sodium ion as a counterion.

[4] α-Olefin sulfonates with linear alkenyl radicals from C12 to C18 are used as anionic surfactants in various areas of application due to their pronounced foam formation[clarification needed] and foam stability (even with high water hardness), excellent fat-dissolving power and oil dissolving power as well as a favorable ecological profile and low aquatic toxicity and human toxicity.

[6][7] They are typically used in detergents and cleaning agents, for degreasing, in the emulsion polymerization, the conditioning of concrete and mortar as well as in the formulation of pesticides.