Synthesis of anionic cleaning agents

Abstract From the Canadian patent

There is provided a method of synthesis of a disulfated cleaning agent from a substituted cyclic anhydride, particularly a substituted succinic anhydride having one or more carbon chain substituents comprising in total at least 5 carbon atoms comprising the following steps: (i) reduction of said substituted cyclic anhydride to form a diol; (ii) optionally alkoxylation of said diol to , form an alkoxylated diol; and (iii) sulfation of said diol to form a disulfate, wherein said reduction step comprises hydrogenation in the presence of a transition metal-containing hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation is carried out under pressure.