Dodecylbenzene is an organic compound with the formula C
₁₂H
₂₅C
₆H
₅. Dodecylbenzene is a colorless liquid with a weak oily odor that floats on water.

Quick Facts Names, Identifiers ...

Dodecylbenzene

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Dodecylbenzene
Other names 1-Phenyldodecane, Phenyldodecane, n-Dodecylbenzene, Laurylbenzene
Identifiers
CAS Number	29986-57-0 Y 123-01-3 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	1909107
ChemSpider	28977 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.175
EC Number	204-591-8
PubChem CID	31237
RTECS number	CZ9540000
UNII	A2AX003680 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID7026994
InChI InChI=1S/C18H30/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-12-15-18-16-13-11-14-17-18/h11,13-14,16-17H,2-10,12,15H2,1H3 Y Key: KWKXNDCHNDYVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C18H30/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-12-15-18-16-13-11-14-17-18/h11,13-14,16-17H,2-10,12,15H2,1H3 Key: KWKXNDCHNDYVRT-UHFFFAOYAI
SMILES c1ccccc1CCCCCCCCCCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	C18H30
Molar mass	246.43 g·mol−1
Appearance	colourless liquid
Density	0.856 g·cm−3
Melting point	3 °C (37 °F; 276 K)
Boiling point	328 °C (622 °F; 601 K)
Solubility in water	insoluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H410, H413
Precautionary statements	P264, P273, P280, P302+P352, P321, P332+P313, P362, P391, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 1 0
Flash point	135 °C (275 °F; 408 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Close

This colourless waxy solid consists of a dodecyl group (C
₁₂H
₂₅) attached to a phenyl group (C
₆H
₅). Dodecylbenzene is a precursor to sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, a surfactant that is a key ingredient of household laundry detergents, such as detergent powder.^[1]

This compound and some related alkylbenzenes are produced industrially by alkylation of benzene with the corresponding alkenes in the presence of hydrogen fluoride or related acid catalysts. The resulting linear alkylbenzene compounds are sulfonated to give the corresponding sulfonic acids. This sulfonation can be highly specific to place the sulfonic acid group across the ring, in the 4-position. The resulting sulfonic acid is then neutralized with base to give sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate, which is subsequently blended with other components to give various cleaning products.^[1]