To obtain the subject nearly white compound improved in quality at increased formation rate in reduced cost through aging process in the presence of a specific discoloration inhibitor.
This nearly white light-color compound is obtained through a sulfonating gas introduction process designed to bring (A) a saturated fatty acid alkyl ester of the formula R1CH2COOR2 (R1 is a 6-24C alkyl; R2 is a 1-6C alkyl) into contact with (B) a sulfonating gas and the succeeding aging process designed to eliminate SO3 from the resultant SO3 bimolecular adduct. In this case, at least the aging process is conducted in the presence of one kind of discoloration inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (C) alkyl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, α-sulfofatty acid alkyl ester salt, α- olefinsulfonic acid salt, straight-chain aykylbenzene sulfonic acid salt, inner olefinsulfonic acid salt and polystyrenesulfonic acid salt and the group consisting of (D) sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide.
TANO TETSUO
NAGAAI KAZUO
