Hydrophobic tartaric acid monoamides as complexing and tensioactive agents

A simple method for the preparation of monoamide derivatives of tartaric ac id is proposed. The direct synthesis of the products HOOC-CHOH-CHOH-CONHR, where R is an alkyl chain with 3, 8, 10 or 14 carbons, from tartaric acid a nd the corresponding amines is described. The tensioactive properties of th e C-8 molecule have been evaluated; this compound forms micelles in water a nd the critical micellar concentration has been measured. The complexing ab ility of these molecules toward the trivalent lanthanide cation Pr(III) has been checked with the C-3 compound. The formation of a neutral complex and the hydrophobic character of these molecules make them good candidates for liquid-liquid extraction in order to extract and separate lanthanide(III) ions.