BROMINATED, CHLORINATED AND HYDROXYLATED SURFACTANTS DERIVED FROM OLEYL CHAIN:PREPARATION AND SURFACE PROPERTIES

ABSTRACT

Bromination, chlorination and hydroxylation of the double bond in a series of oleic ethoxylated surfactants were carried out. The new molecule will have higher specific gravity and therefore can be used as a weighting agent. Nevertheless surface properties and the ability to emulsify water and oils will not change significantly.

Physical (specific gravity, viscosity and refractive index) and surface properties (such as reduction of surface tension of water (γ), critical micelle concentration (CMC), area, per molecule at the liquid/air interface (A), efficiency (pC₂₀) and effectiveness πCMC were measured and compared to the corresponding unsaturated surfactants.

The incorporated dibromo-, dichloro- or dihydroxy- groups diminish some of the surface properties of the surfactant, e.g. higher surface tension, higher CMC value, higher area per molecule, lower efficiency and effectiveness in comparison to the related unsaturated surfactants.

This study confirms, early findings suggesting that oleyl ethoxylated surfactants behave abnormally when compared to straight chain ethoxylated alcohols, acids or polyglycerol esters and that any derivatization in the hydrophobic chain will significantly alter surface properties of the surfactant.