Synthesis of novel quaternary ammonium surfactants containing adamantane

A series of novel quaternary ammonium surfactants containing adamantane were designed and synthesized from 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid. The structures of target surfactants were confirmed by 1 H NMR, elements analysis and FTIR. Surface properties of these surfactants were investigated. Due to the lipophilicity of adamantane, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and C 20 values of the synthesized quaternary ammonium surfactants are lower than that of conventional quaternary ammonium surfactants.