Preparation and properties of sodium alkyl sulfoacetates

Abstract

Abstract The preparation and properties for a homologous series of sodium salts of alkyl sulfoacetates, containing 10, 12, 14 and 16 carbon atoms are described. The sodium salts of alkyl sulfoacetates were prepared from monochloroacetic acid, sodium sulfite and corresponding higher alcohol. The Krafft point, c.m.c. value, surface tension, solubilizing power, emulsifying power, foaming power, and calcium ion stability and resistance to acid hydrolysis were measured as the properties of these compounds. The c.m.c. values at 40 C obtained by electrical conductivity were related to the alkyl carbon number (N) of the compounds by log c.m.c.=4.852–0.301 N. Solubilizing power, emulsifying power and foaming power increased with the number of carbon atoms of alkyl chain in the surfactant. But the calcium ion stability and resistance to the acid hydrolysis decreased with an increase in the length of the hydrophobic portion.