Synthesis and physico‐chemical properties of novel dialkyl diphosphate gemini surfactants based on octadecanol

Abstract

AbstractA series of dialkyl diphosphate gemini surfactants has been synthesized using C18 as hydrophobic chains and phosphate as head groups. Three flexible spacers have been used. In the present study, an attempt has also been made to synthesize mono octadecyl phosphate (MOP) at 35°C, which was used as an intermediate in the synthesis of geminis. This long chain of MOP has been effectively converted to gemini surfactants and subsequently converted to their disodium salts. The effect of reaction variables like temperature, duration, molar ratios of reactants, catalyst and spacer on the yield of dialkyl diphosphate gemini surfactant has also been reported. The MOP, gemini surfactants and disodium salt of gemini surfactants were characterized using FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR. Surface active and physico‐chemical properties of synthesized gemini surfactants and their monomer were also determined. The results revealed that the yield of dialkyl diphosphate gemini surfactants ranged from 80 to 90%. Among all synthesized dialkyl diphosphate gemini surfactants D, S‐1,6‐GSOD had maximum anionic content, i.e. 80.7%, showed highest foaming ability and superior dispersing ability, whereas D, S‐1,8‐GSOD showed low cmc values, i.e. 0.00012 mM/L; minimum surface tension and interfacial tension, i.e. 39.1 and 36.3 mN/m, respectively.