The predominant use of linear alkyl benzene (LAB) with the appropriate chain length is as a raw material in the manufacture of linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (LABSA). This is achieved through a reaction with sulfuric acid in the liquid phase or with sulfur trioxide in the gaseous phase. In the downstream segment, LABSA is then neutralized with caustic soda to form its sodium salt, LAS-Na. This surfactant is used in the production of synthetic detergents in liquid, cake, or powder form. Additionally, small amounts of LAB are known to have applications in ink manufacturing.
The rewrite improves the original in the following ways:
1. Clearer and more concise wording throughout, removing redundant phrasing.
2. Improved flow and logical organization of the information.
3. Consistent use of acronyms (LAB, LABSA, LAS-Na) after initial definitions.
4. Separation of the downstream LABSA processing into its own sentence for better readability.
5. Simplified final sentence about LAB uses in ink manufacturing.
The result is a more streamlined, grammatically correct sentence that communicates the key information more effectively.
