Synthesis and performance of surfactants based on epoxidized methyl oleate and glycerol

A small series of surfactants based on methyl oleate and glycerol was synthesized. The synthesis utilizes an epoxidation reaction of methyl oleate followed by a simple esterification. The resultant products have between two and seven glyceride units, and their performance properties, including aqueous surface tensions and dynamic aqueous surface tensions, were studied. The droplet size of soybean oil/water emulsions made with each surfactant was also studied. The surfactants show properties similar to alcohol ethoxylates, such as the reduction of aqueous surface tension to similar to 34 mN m(-1). Additionally, because the synthesis leaves the epoxide functionality in the surfactant, further modification for performance optimization is possible.