Synthesis and characterization of cleavable surfactants derived from poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether

Abstract

Abstract A series of noncyclic acetal‐linked cleavable surfactants were simply prepared by condensation of aldehydes with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ethers. All of the products were characterized by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance. Their hydrophile‐lipophile balance, surface tension, cloud point, critical micelle concentration, and foam height were determined. Hydrolysis kinetic studies, followed by gas chromatography, showed that they had higher hydrolytic reactivity in acidic solution than cyclic acetal‐linked cleavable surfactants.