Compounds are described which are derivatives of essential oils, functionalized in order to improve their antibacterial, antiprotozoal and antiviral activity, reduce their volatility and modify their solubility in certain solvents, particularly water. Additionally, also the palatability has been significantly improved with respect to the starting essential oils. These compounds are designed 5 to be used as food ingredients in food products for nutritional purposes and extra-nutritional (as prebiotics) purposes, in both human and animal feed industries, even if these compounds can be successfully used also in cosmetics, detergents and for the control of the microbial load in general.

The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.

The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.

The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.

Methods of making an alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid (AOS dimer acid) are disclosed. In one method, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid) and sulfur dioxide. This mixture is then heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. In another method, the AOS acid mixture is treated to remove sulfur dioxide and is then heated to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. With either method, the resulting AOS dimer acid composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of an AOS dimer acid composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. AOS dimer acid compositions and salts of the AOS dimer acids, which are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications, are also disclosed.

Methods of making an alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid (AOS dimer acid) are disclosed. In one method, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid) and sulfur dioxide. This mixture is then heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. In another method, the AOS acid mixture is treated to remove sulfur dioxide and is then heated to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. With either method, the resulting AOS dimer acid composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of an AOS dimer acid composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. AOS dimer acid compositions and salts of the AOS dimer acids, which are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications, are also disclosed.

The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.

The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.