alkylbenzenesulfonate

9.9

A chemical used in detergents to help water remove oily dirt

noun
/ˌæl.kɪl.bɛn.zen.sʌl.fəˈneɪt/

Specialized

: alquilbenzenosulfonato

Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate is a common ingredient in household laundry detergents.

Examples

Scientists studied how alkylbenzenesulfonate breaks down in water treatment plants.
Many alkylbenzenesulfonates are effective in removing grease.
Some industrial cleaners use alkylbenzenesulfonate as a primary surfactant.
The detergent contains alkylbenzenesulfonate as a key ingredient.
Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate is a common ingredient in household laundry detergents.
Some industrial cleaners use alkylbenzenesulfonate as a primary surfactant.
The detergent contains alkylbenzenesulfonate as a key ingredient.

Surface Forms

alkylbenzenesulfonate singular

alkylbenzenesulfonates plural

Morphology

alkylbenzenesulfonate = alkylbenzene + sulfonate (semi-transparent) = alkyl + benzene + sulfonate

The structure is transparently compositional for readers with chemical knowledge (alkylbenzene + sulfonate), but the components are technical terms, so the meaning is not obvious to a general B1 learner.

Etymology

The word alkylbenzenesulfonate comes from three parts: alkyl ('a carbon and hydrogen tail' like the oily part of soap), benzene ('a ring' found in many chemicals), and sulfonate ('a sulfur salt' part that likes water). So an alkylbenzenesulfonate is a molecule with an oily 'tail', a ring in the middle, and a water-friendly 'salt' end, which is why it joins oil and water and helps clean.