Synthesis, Characterization, and Physicochemical Performance of Nonionic Surfactants via PEG Modification of Epoxides of Alkyl Oleate Esters

The synthesis of surfactants from fatty acid esters via epoxide chemistry has been known for its accompanying challenges, which usually involve the use toxic homogeneous catalysts in ring-opening reaction step and generation many side products. This paper presents environmentally benign routes to a library nonionic three-step involving transesterification methyl oleate alkyl oleates, epoxidation alkene, solventless heterogeneously catalyzed ring opening epoxides with poly(ethylene glycols) varying chain length under short time (60 min). processes were highly atom efficient afforded minimum surfactant yield 80% limited or negligible intermediate molecules synthesized purified comprehensively characterized, including physicochemical measurements: dynamic surface tension equilibrium tension. Additionally, hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) concept was used scan through polarity behaviors surfactants’ head tail solution as prediction their end use. results showed that have critical micelle concentration (CMC) lower than 0.1 mg/ml increases ethyl decyl lower-molecular-weight reached faster higher-molecular-weight surfactants. HLB can be applied oil-in-water emulsifiers, detergents, solubilizers, wetting agents. In general, potentially possess switchable properties industrial formulations, ethylene oxide number surfactant’s structure are varied.