This invention relates to new and improved compositions comprising mixtures of neutralized compounds obtained by reacting aliphatic or cycloaliphatic compounds with a gaseous mixture of sulfur dioxide and chlorine with water-soluble salts. In a more limited sense, it relates to mixtures of neutralized compounds obtained by reacting liquid saturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons with a gaseous mixture of sulfur dioxide and chlorine with readily water-soluble salts. This invention also pertains to methods of preparing such compounds.