The synthesis and performance of anionic gemini surfactants

Gemini surfactants possess two hydrophobic tails and two hydrophilic head groups separated by a spacer chain. Computer simulations and literature data suggest that these surfactants may be cost-effective in areas such as laundry detergent formulations, soil clean-up and enhanced oil recovery. As potential pathways to anionic gemini surfactants may be accessible from detergent alcohol and olefin feedstocks, an exploratory study has been instigated into their synthesis and performance aspects. The performance properties of model anionic geminis, combined with the complexity of the used and the envisaged synthesis routes, have led us to conclude that the potential of these molecules lies predominantly in specialised surfactant applications. © Hanser Publishers, München.