New cleavable surfactants derived from glucono‐1,5‐lactone

Abstract

AbstractNew amido nonionic cleavable surfactants were synthesized in good yields by the acetalization of glucono‐1,5‐lactone with octanal, 2‐octanone or 2‐undecanone, followed by amidation with monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or morpholine. These compounds possessed good water solubilities. The compounds derived from 2‐octanone showed higher critical micelle concentrations than the compounds from octanal. For the same hydrophobic chain, both the micelle‐forming property and the ability to lower surface tension increased with the change in the terminal amide group in the order diethanolamide<morpholide<monoethanolamide. Interestingly, in spite of their relatively short hydrophobic chains, these compounds showed greater ability to lower surface tension than conventional nonionic surfactants, such as alcohol ethoxylates. Furthermore, their acid‐decomposition properties were determined. Their decomposition rates were also compared with that of the corresponding carboxylate type of compound derived from glucono‐1,5‐lactone.