Molecular Design and Properties of Chemically Cleavable Surfactants

Examination was made of the development and properties of chemically cleavable surfactants. Chemically cleavable surfactants possessing dioxolane, dioxane ring, noncyclic acetal group and carbon-nitrogen double bond were synthesized and found to easily undergo hydrolytic decomposition by acid. Many of these surfactants were noted to have good surface activity and undergo biodegradation in addition to acid-sensitivity. Bis (sodium sulfonated ester) and bis (ammonium bromide) surfactants were synthesized and found to exhibit alkali-sensitivity, surface activity and biodegradability. Ozon-cleavable surfactants bearing carbon-carbon double bonds were also produced and noted to have good surface active properties and biodegradability.