Cleavable surfactants to tune the stability of W/O miniemulsions

► Novel degradable monoesters of oxalic and malonic acids were prepared in good to excellent yields on a multigram scale. ► Fatty esters are low-mass emulsifiers stabilizing water-in-oil-miniemulsions. ► Droplet sizes strongly depend on molecular characteristics of emulsifiers. ► An optimum was found for emulsifiers bearing a carbon chain length of 12-14 carbons. ► Phase separation could be triggered by cleaving the molecules (addition of a base).