421.    CALCOTT, W. S.  Activities of I. G. Farbenindustrie A.-G., Leuna.  Soap Substitute.  CIOS Rept. XXII-19; TOM Reel 196; PB Rept. 187, 1945, 8 pp.

                  One of the important products made at Leuna was a soap substitute called Mersol, made from the Kogasin fraction of Fischer-Tropsch oil.  As received, the Kogasin contained both oxygen derivatives and unsaturated compounds, which were eliminated by catalytic hydrogenation over a Ni tungstate catalyst at 200 atm. and 300°-350°.  A mixture of straight-chain hydrocarbons was obtained containing the compounds from C₁₂H₂₆ to C₁₈H₃₈, but chiefly C₁₅H₃₂.  This mixture was treated with SO₂ and Cl while being irradiated with ultraviolet light at 30°-40°.  The reaction is carried to only 70% completion to avoid formation of excessive amounts of disulfonyl chloride, which is useless for soap production.  The sulfonyl chloride is used for soap making, being saponified with other soapmaking materials.  A cresol ester is prepared from sulfonyl chloride and used as a plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride.  The Na salt, called Mersolat, is made by saponifying the Mersol at 70° with a 10% NaOH solution.  The oil is separated from the sodium alkyl sulfonate by decantation, chlorinated, and used as a solvent.  At the peak of operation about 4,500 tons per month of Mersol were being produced.  Equipment and process are described.