Properties and Applications of Sodium (5-methyl-2-alkyl-1,3-dioxane-5-yl)-Carboxylate Synthesized with Nanosolid Superacid

A series of novel sodium (5-methyl-2-alkyl-1,3-dioxane-5-yl) carboxylate surfactants were synthesized using nanosolid superacid SO4 2−/Fe2O3 as a catalyst and characterized by 1H NMR, IR and elemental analysis. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of surfactants was determined and the results showed that the CMC values were less than 2.0 × 10−3 mol/L. Other relevant surface properties (Krafft point, emulsion stability, foam ability, degradability) were also evaluated. It was suggested that with respect to emulsion formation, foam stability and the range of application temperature, compared with traditional surfactants, the new surfactants could give better results and showed better properties when used as an emulsifier in emulsion polymerization. In addition, the surfactants were stable under neutral and alkaline conditions, and could form solid under acid condition. The solid will generate the original surfactants for reuse with alkali. Sodium (5-methyl-2-alkyl-1,3-dioxane-5-yl) carboxylate is likely to be a new type of ‘environmentally friendly’ surfactant.