2004 Volume 53 Issue 2 Pages 89-95
Novel double-chain cleavable surfactants bearing an acetal group were easily prepared by acid-catalyzed condensation of pyruvate with fatty alcohols (octyl, decyl, dodecyl) followed by alkaline hydrolysis without any expensive reagents and special equipments. These surfactants showed easier micelle formation and greater ability to lower surface tension compared to those of sodium dodecanoate and the previously reported single-chain cleavable surfactant. These double-chain compounds showed good foaming properties at 0.02 wt%. The wetting times of 0.02 wt% the compounds were almost the same as those of 1 wt% sodium dodecanoate. They decomposed completely after 40 min at pH 1. Their biodegradabilities were higher or almost the same as that of sodium dodecanoate.
