Synthesis of methacrylate-functionalized phosphonates and phosphates with long alkyl-chain spacers and their self-aggregation in aqueous solutions

Polymerizable amphiphilic organophosphorous compounds were synthesized and their self-aggregation behavior was investigated. The studied molecules contain a hydrophilic phosphorus end group, an alkyl chain spacer with a variable length from 3 to 11 CH2 groups and a polymerizable methacrylic group at the other chain end. Thus, the molecules represent a class of polymerizable surfactants. Two different reaction methods were used; either unsaturated alcohols or bromine-containing alcohols were applied as starting compounds for the preparation of the organophosphorous surfactants. The self-aggregation and micelle formation of the prepared compounds were investigated in aqueous solution by dynamic light scattering measurements. The critical micelle concentration of the P-containing amphiphiles was in all cases smaller than 0.040 mol/l and strongly dependent on the polarity of the phorphorous head group and the chain length of the spacer.