Synthesis and Characterization of Imidazole Based Cationic Surfactants as Disinfectants

Abstract

Citric acid-based cationic surfactants using 1-methyl imidazolium as coordinizing agent has been synthesized and characterized. The cationic surfactants is produced in excellent yields (70%) and has been examined by TGA, FTIR, 1H NMR and are found to have good surface-active properties. FTIR analysis showed the presence of ester confirmed by 1H NMR (the chemical shift value of 3.7 ppm and 3.8 ppm is due to the presence of an ester) in the surfactant. The biodegradability confirmed by BOD analysis. It is found that cationic imidazolium surfactants having surface tenstion of (12 mN/m) with chloride as a counter ion. The results show that cationic imidazolium surfactants with longer hydrophobic chains have a lower CMC value. TGA result shows good thermal properties of cationic surfactant. Invitro study of cationic surfactant over fungal cell indicates its antifungal activity (70% inhibition at 350 ppm) and its appliaction as disinfactant.