Synthesis and preliminary assessments of hybrid anionic and non-ionic surfactants

We describe the synthesis and preliminary physico-chemical assessments of i onic and non-ionic hybrid hydrofluorocarbon amphiphiles. Monoreduction reac tion of the symmetrical starting material 1,10-diiodo-3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8 ,8-dodecafluorodecane provides the ethyl terminated fluorocarbon chains. Th ese non-symmetrical hydrofluorocarbon surfactants contain an ethyl segment, a fluorocarbon core and either nonionic or anionic polar heads (sulfate. s ulfonate, phosphate. carboxylate or glycosidic groups). The lactobionolacto ne can be reacted with hydrofluorocarbon amines to obtain the non-ionic hyd rophilic moiety whereas the anionic heads come from monoiodo and/or hydroxy l hydrofluorocarbon substrates. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) v alues of these novel surfactants were determined by surface tension and con ductivity measurements. The results are compared to those measured with flu orinated homologues previously described. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.