PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF DOUBLE-CHAIN OR TRIPLE-CHAIN SURFACTANTS WITH 2 SULFONATE GROUPS DERIVED FROM N-ACYLDIETHANOLAMINES

Bis(sulfonate) types of amphipathic compounds with three long-chain alkyl groups were prepared by the reaction of N-(long-chain acyl)diethanolamine diglycidyl ethers with long-chain fatty alcohols, followed by the reaction with propanesultone. The diglycidyl ethers were easily obtained from the corresponding N-acyldiethanolamines and epichlorohydrin in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst. The same types of compounds with two long-chain alkyl groups were also prepared from N-acetyldiethanolamine according to similar procedures. All these new double- or triple-chain surfactants were soluble in water and showed much better micelle forming and ability to lower surface tension than general types of single-chain surfactants with one sulfonate group. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and gamma-CMC values of the triple-chain compounds were still much smaller than those of the corresponding double-chain compounds with two common alkyl groups. The efficiency of adsorption at the water/air interface (pC20) of these surfactants was very high. Their foaming properties, wetting ability toward a felt chip, and lime-soap dispersing ability were measured.