Method for the preparation of aliphatic and alicyclic sulphonic acids by catalytic sulphoxidation of hydro-carbons

In the known process for the preparation of saturated, non-branched alkyl or cycloalkyl sulphonic acids containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms inclusive by reacting the corresponding alkane or cycloalkane with sulphur dioxide and elementary oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, ozone or peroxide being supplied to the reaction mixture at the initiation of the reaction, the improvement which comprises using copper as the catalyst, the copper being added in the form of copper metal, an oxide or a salt, the salt being the salt of an inorganic or an organic acid and either dissolved or dispersed in the alkane or cycloalkane.

In the known process for the preparation of saturated, non-branched alkyl or cycloalkyl sulphonic acids containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms inclusive by reacting the corresponding alkane or cycloalkane with sulphur dioxide and elementary oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, the alkane or cycloalkane being converted to the alkyl or cycloalkyl sulphonic acid to a degree of 0.5 to 10% by weight, the improvement which comprises using copper as the catalyst, the copper being added in the form of copper metal, an oxide or a salt, the salt being the salt of an inorganic or an organic acid and either dissolved or dispersed in the alkane or cycloalkane.

In the known process for the preparation of saturated non-branched alkyl or cycloalkyl suphonic acids containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms inclusive by reacting the corresponding alkane or cycloalkane with sulphur dioxide and elementary oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, the improvement which comprises using copper as the catalyst, the copper being added in the form of a member selected from the group of pure copper metal, brass, Cu.sub.2 O, Cu.sub.2 SO.sub.3, CuCl, CuO, Cu(CH.sub.3 COO).sub.2, and cupric stearate.