Synthesis of novel quaternary ammonium surfactants containing adamantane

A series of novel quaternary ammonium surfactants containing adamantane were designed and synthesized from 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid. The structures of target surfactants were confirmed by 1H NMR, elements analysis and FTIR. Surface properties of these surfactants were investigated. Due to the lipophilicity of adamantane, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and C20 values of the synthesized quaternary ammonium surfactants are lower than that of conventional quaternary ammonium surfactants.