CHLORINATION OF n-PARAFFINS (Chloroparaffins)

Chlorination of n-paraffins (C₁₀-C₁₄) in the liquid phase produces a mixture of chloroparaffins. Selectivity to monochlorination could be increased by limiting the reaction to a low conversion and by decreasing the chlorine to hydrocarbon ratio. Substitution of secondary hydrogen predominates. The reaction may be represented as:

Monochloroparaffins in this range may be dehydrochlorinated to the corresponding monoolefins and used as alkylating agents for the production of biodegradable detergents. Alternatively, the monochloroparaffins are used directly to alkylate benzene in presence of a Lewis acid catalyst to produce alkylates for the detergent production. These reactions could be illustrated as follows:

Polychlorination, on the other hand, can be carried out on the whole range of n-paraffins from C₁₀-C₃₀ at a temperature range of 80–120°C (using a high C_l2/paraffin ratio). The product has a chlorine content of approximately 70%. Polychloroparaffins are used as cutting oil additives, plasticizers, and retardant chemicals.