PROCESS FOR PREPARING A FATTY ACYL ISETHIONATE SALT

A process is provided for preparing a fatty acyl isethionate salt of the formula RC(O)ORSO3M which comprises reacting at least one fatty acid of the formula RC(O)OH with at least one hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid salt of the formula HORSO3M in the presence of a catalyst, and distilling off water, wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having 5 to 31 carbon atoms, R is a linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and M is lithium, sodium, potassium, or ammonium and is characterised in that a foam control agent comprising a silicone oil is added. The foam control agent is added preferably once the reaction mixture is homogeneous. The process is suitably carried out with substantially equimolar amounts of fatty acid and hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid salt, preferably without distilling off any fatty acid.