Process for separating sulfonic acids from the reaction products obtained when parafins are reacted with sulfur dioxide, oxygen and water in the presence of ultra-violet light

A process for separating the sulfonic acids in an untreated paraffin sulfonic solution containing in addition to said paraffin sulfonic acids, sulfuric acid, water and non-sulfonated paraffins, which comprises:

• (a) admixing with the paraffin sulfonic acid solution, at least one aromatic alcohol having the general formula R1 ? ##STR3## wherein:
• R.sup.1 is a phenyl group, said phenyl group possibly substituted by halogen and/or alkyl groups having 1 to 6 C atoms;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen;
• n is an integer from 1 to 3;
• and
• R.sup.2 is a methyl group when n=1, thereby forming a mixture having three phases wherein the uppermost layer consists essentially of unreacted paraffins, the center layer consists essentially of paraffin sulfonic acids and the lower layer consists essentially of an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid;
• (b) separating said center layer;
• and
• (c) said aromatic alcohol is separated from said center layer to produce said sulfonic acids.