Synthesis, Surface Active Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Ester - Amidoamine Linked Double Tailed Cationic Surfactants

Three novel ester-amidoamine linked cationic surfactants bearing a double tail were synthesized. Their chemical structures were interpreted with FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. These surfactants consist of hydrophobes that may be obtained from sustainable resources. The objective was to synthesize a double tailed amidoamine having two functional groups in the structure and to investigate the effect of these groups on the interfacial as well as physical properties of the surfactants. The interfacial properties of the surfactants were determined using tensiometry, conductometry measurements and dye solubilization techniques. The synthesized surfactants have been found to exhibit quite low CMC in comparison with conventional surfactants of similar structure. The effect of sodium chloride on their surface properties was also studied. They were found to possess good and stable foaming ability and wettability. All the synthesized surfactants delivered appreciable antimicrobial activity against three tested microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.