Dodecanoyl diphenyl ether was synthesized by Friedel–Crafts acylation from lauric acid and diphenyl ether catalyzed by P2O5/SiO2, then sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid to yield a new oil-based surfactant, sodium dodecanoyl diphenyl ether sulfonate. Structure of products was characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR, indicating that both the intermediate and the final product were obtained as desired. Performances of the surfactant, such as Krafft point (TK), surface tension, critical micelle concentration, resistance to electrolyte, calcium stability, lime soap dispersing power (LSDP), detergency, wetting time and foam ability were measured. Experimental results indicated that the surfactant possessed excellent low temperature solubility (TK< 0 oC) and outstanding electrolyte resistance, for example, to be able to solve in solutions of saturated sodium chloride, saturated calcium chloride, saturated hydrochloric acid or high concentration of sodium hydroxide, respectively. Therefore, it has the potential to replace alkyl diphenyl ether sulfonates. The surfactant is also a potential lime soap dispersing agent because it has very strong lime soap dispersing power (LSDP=6.5) and good detergency comparable to that of LAS.