Convenient synthesis, characterization and surface active properties of novel cationic gemini surfactants with carbonate linkage based on C12C18 sat./unsat. fatty acids

Cationic imidazoline surfactants have already gained much interest due to their wide range of industrial applications. In the present scenario on surfactants research, surfactants are being converted into their corresponding gemini surfactants because of their uncommon self-assembling characteristics and unique interfacial activity. Gemini surfactants are showing many times better performance properties than their conventional monomeric counterparts because of their much lesser CMC and far better ability to reduce surface tension. These extraordinary properties make them potential candidates in surfactant industries. Conventional methods used in the synthesis of gemini surfactants are suffering with few disadvantages. Long reaction duration is one of the major issues involved in the synthesis of gemini surfactants. Current research involves the microwave synthesis of C12C18 saturated/unsaturated fatty acids based cationic gemini imidazoline surfactants in much lesser time. An effort has also been made to make them readily degradable through incorporating a carbonate linkage into their spacer moiety. Structural characterization of synthesized gemini surfactants have been achieved through 1H-NMR and FT-IR. Cheaper and easily available plant based materials and microwave assisted organic synthesis of cationic gemini imidazoline surfactants with easily degradable chemical moiety make them to be considered as novel and green surfactants.