Synthesis and surface properties of N-Dodecyl-N,N-bis[3-(aidonamido)propyl]amine-N-oxides

A new group of saccharide surfactants, N-dodecyl-N,N-bis[3-(aldonamido)prop yl]amine-N-oxides (derivatives Of D-gluconic, D-glucoheptonic, and lactobio nic acids), were synthesized with high yields by one-step oxidation reactio n of an appropriate N-dodecyl-N, N-bis[3-(aldon-amido)-propyl]amine with an excess of 30 wt% of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. Their struct ures and purity were confirmed by means of elemental analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In comparison to an appropriate N-dodecyl-N,N-bis[3-(aldonami do)propyl]amine, the investigated N-oxides are more soluble in water with s imilar critical micelle concentration values and show higher surface effect iveness. They are low-foamable but in mixtures with sodium dodecyl sulfate form high-volume and stable foams in a wide range of mixture compositions.