www.ymparisto.fi
 
 
Data bank of environmental chemicals     |     The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
 


28.3.2024

Data bank of environmental properties of chemicals


Chemical
Benzene, C10-13 alkyl derivs.
CAS-number :
67774-74-7
 
Synonyms :
LAB
Linear alkylbenzene
 
Sumformula of the chemical :
C6H5CnH2n+1; n=10-13
EINECS-number :
2670510
 
Purity, % :
86  86 - 99%, Purity is defined as the degree of the product linearity, namely the percent content of alkylates with C10-13 linear side alkyl chains (EU RA Report 2000).
 
Known impurities :
Tetralins: 0.5 - 8%; isoalkylbenzenes 1 - 6% (EU RA Report 2000).
 
Uses :
LAB is almost entirely (> 99%) utilised as intermediate in the 
production of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS). 
Some LAB 
also finds minor use as solvent and binder in speciality 
applications, e.g. cable oil, ink industry, paint and 
varnishes, insulating and electricity (EU RA Report 2000).
 
State and appearance :
Liquid.
 
Molecular weight :
239
243
 
Water solubility, mg/l :
0.041  EU RA Report 2000
 
Melting point, °C :
-70  <-70 °C, EU RA Report 2000
 
Boiling point, °C :
278  278 - 314 °C at 1013 hPa,
314  EU RA Report 2000
 
Log octanol/water coefficient, log Pow :
7.5  7.5 - 9.12, at 25 °C
9.12  EU RA Report 2000
 
Volatilization :
Measurement of Henry's Law constant shows a value of 95 
Paxm3/mol which means a moderate volatilization from the water 
medium (EU RA Report 2000).
 
Adsorption/desorption :
Organic carbon/water partition coefficient (Koc) has been 
measured to be 2.2X10+4. 
This value was calculated by the 
solid/water partition coefficient measured in four types of 
soil with different organic carbon content (from 0.4 to 2%) by 
addition of 14C-labelled C12 alkylbenzene. 
The alkyl length 
(C12) of radiolabelled standard represents the average alkyl 
chain length (C11.6) of the commercial LAB (EU RA Report 2000).
 
Photochemical degradation in air :
Photochemical transformation studies of acetonitrile solutions 
of LAB in direct sunlight indicate no significant direct 
photolysis or chemical transformation (EU RA Report 2000).
 
Total degradation in soil :
In sludge amended soils the LAB measured half-life is 15.3 days 
with a primary degradation of 98% after 103 days, measured by a 
final GC-MS detection analysis (EU RA Report 2000).
 
Total degradation in water :
LAB biodegrades readily. 
A biodegradation test, recently 
conducted using a manometric respirometric method, shows a 
biodegradation of 64.1% after 28 days incubation (EU RA Report 
2000).

An OECD 301 B test indicates a biodegradation of 67% (measured 
by CO2 evolution), after 28 days. 
An adapted inoculum was used. 

An emulsifier to disperse the poorly soluble LAB was added (EU 
RA Report 2000).

Anaerobic biodegradation: A test conducted following the ECETOC 
Technical Report n° 28 shows a biodegatation of > 70% (EU RA 
Report 2000).
 
Other information of bioaccumulation :
The log Pow (7.5 - 9.12) would predict a high potential 
bioaccumulation in fish but the measured BCF of 35 in a test on 
Lepomis macrochirus means a low bioconcentration. 
The reason 
why the measured BCF is lower than the perdicted one can be 
explaned by the high metabolisation rate of substance by the 
fish (EU RA Report 2000). 
 
Other information of water organisms :
Mysidoposis bahia (after 96 h), Gammarus fasciatus (96 h), 
Paratanytarsus (48 h) are not affected at nominal concentration 
(1000 mg/l) up to and exceeding the water solubility with a 
solvent carrier (EPA, GLP) (EU RA Report 2000).

Tests, conducted on Salmo gairdneri (96 h), Pimephales 
promelas, Lepomis macrochirus (96 h) and Leuciscus idus 
melanotus (48 h) show no adverse effects at nominal 
concentration (1000 mg/l) up to and exceeding the water 
solubility with a solvent carrier or using an emulsifier ((EU 
RA Report 2000).

Selenastrum capricornutum is not affected after 96 h at nominal 
concentration (1000 mg/l) up to and exceeding the water 
solubility with a solvent carrier (EPA, GLP) (EU RA Report 
2000).

Tests conducted on Daphnia magna at nominal concertration in 
static systems for three LABs with average molecular weights of 
236, 244 and 262 show LC50 (48 h) = 0.009-0.08 mg/l (EU RA 
Report 2000).

One-generation chronic tests (21 d) on Daphnia magna in clean 
water and measured concentrations were conducted in 
flow-through conditions using acetone as a solvent for two LABs 
with molecular weights of 236 and 262. 
Survival and reproducton 
are recorded and assessed three times; growth established at 
day 21. 
Concentration was monitored via a GC procedure. 
The 
lowest no effect level measured for LAB is 0.0075 mg/l (EU RA 
Report 2000).

References
3345EU RA Report 2000. Existing Substances: benzene, C10-13 alkyl derivs. European Union Risk Assessment Report (Vol. 3) Institute for Health and Consumer Protection. European Chemicals Bureau. European Communites.

 
 
© Copyright Environmental Administration