Efficient syntheses of three series of anionic gemini surfactants based on pentaerythritol are described. A series of disulfates was prepared by the double displacement of the two cyclic sulfates in the S4-symmetric compound pentaerythritol spirobicyclic sulfate (1) with linear alkoxides. A second series of disulfates was prepared by reaction of the dialkoxides of di-O-alkylpentaerythritols with ethylene sulfate. The di-O-alkylpentaerythritols can be prepared as previously reported by us or by the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the first series of disulfates. A series of disulfonates was prepared by reaction of the dialkoxides of di-O-alkylpentaerythritols with 1,3-propanesultone. This last set of reactions was complicated by the formation of oxetanes, which probably arose from initial reversible displacement on sulfur of the sultone alkoxide by the pentaerythritol alkoxide followed by a second intramolecular displacement of the resulting sulfonate. Changing the order of addition to keep the reaction medium from containing excess base as well as lowering the reaction temperature minimized the amounts of these byproducts. All three series had excellent surfactant properties.

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