Synthesis and Surface-Active Properties of a Homologous Series of Star-Like Triple-Chain Anionic Surfactants Derived from 1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane

• Published in: Journal of surfactants and detergents 2016, Vol.19 (1), p.129-135
• Main Authors: Li, Xu, Xing, Fenglan, Xu, Qun, Sun, Xiaolong, Wang, Yuping, Wang, Liyan, Wang, Pinglang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anionic surfactants; Aquatic Pollution; Carboxylate surfactants; Carboxylic acids; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Critical micelle concentration; Ethane; Fatty acids; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Oligomeric surfactants; Original Article; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Silica; Sodium hydroxide; Spectrum analysis; Surfaces and Interfaces; Surfactants; Thin Films; Trimeric surfactants; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1097-3958; 1558-9293
• DOI: 10.1007/s11743-015-1751-1

A novel homologous series of trimeric anionic surfactants, 3C n TE3CNa (where n is a fatty acid chain length of 7, 10, or 12), with three hydrocarbon chains and three carboxylate heads connected via tri-etheric bonds were synthesized from long-chain α-bromo fatty acids and a triol, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane. The obtained trimeric carboxylic acids were esterified and purified by silica gel column chromatography, then hydrolyzed with dilute sodium hydroxide solution to form a series of trimeric carboxylate surfactant products. All prepared compounds were analyzed by IR, 1 H NMR, and 13 C NMR spectroscopy to confirm their chemical structures. Their surface-active properties were investigated. The critical micelle concentrations (cmc) of 3C n TE3CNa were in the range of 0.12–0.71 mmol/L, and the surface tensions at the cmc ( γ cmc ) were 29.3–34.8 mN/m.