PREPARATION AND SURFACE-ACTIVE PROPERTIES OF OXYPROPYLATED ALPHA-HYDROXYACIDS, ALPHA-HYDROXYESTERS AND ALPHA-,BETA-ALKANE DIOLS

A series of alpha-hydroxyacids RCH(OH)CO2H, alpha-hydroxyesters RCH(OH )CO2CH3 and alpha, beta-alkane diols was synthetized and condensed wit h 5-20 moles propylene oxide to obtain nonionic surfactants. Some of t he physicochemical properties and the biodegradability of these produc ts were examined. The results showed that the best wetting properties were obtained by the addition of 15 oxypropylene groups to methyl alph a-hydroxymyristate. The alpha-hydroxymyristic acid with 20 moles of pr opylene oxide gave the highest foam. Biodegradation studies indicated that increasing both the chain length of the hydrophobic alkyl chain o r the number of oxypropylene groups in the adduct decreased biodegrada tion.