Application of infrared spectroscopy to surfactant degradation studies

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Abstract
Several IR spectroscopic methods are described for the determination and analysis of detergent actives in sewage, ground water and finished detergents. The methods include the determination of the ratio of straight‐chain to tetrapropylene chain alkylbenzene sulfonate (ABS), the determination of level and polyethoxy chain length of alkyl and alkylphenyl ethers of polyethylene oxide condensates, and the type of alkyl group in detergent actives isolated from formulated detergents. Specific applications of these methods to study of the degradation of alkylbenzene sulfonate in sewage from controlled use areas, and in studies of the rate and mechanism of degradation of the alkylphenyl ethers and alkyl ethers are discussed.