Preparation of amphiphilic sorbitan monoethers through hydrogenolysis of sorbitan acetals and evaluation as bio-based surfactants

Abstract

Amphiphilic sorbitan ethers were prepared from sorbitol through hydrogenolysis of the corresponding sorbitan acetals and were evaluated as bio-based surfactants.

Sustainable oleic and stearic acid based biodegradable surfactants

“…1 However, the ever-increasing demand for surfactants necessitates the development of a new generation of surfactant molecules having a considerable portion of renewable structural motifs. [2][3][4][5] These new surfactants need to be developed using a sustainable approach and should contain biocompatible functional groups capable of undergoing biodegradation aer use. 6,7 Using renewable raw feedstock such as oleo-chemicals, 8,9 carbohydrates, 10,11 amino acids 12,13 etc.…”

The Hydrolysis Equilibrium Effect of Water with Cu(II) Catalysts Used for the Selective Synthesis of Xylitol Monoacetals as Bio‐Based Surfactants

“…Bio‐polyol, xylitol and sorbitol are listed as important platform molecules by the US Department of Energy because of their large‐scale commercialization . An alternative strategy to exploit sugar alcohol upgrading is the use of functionalization reactions, such as etherification, acetalization and esterification, which are particularly significant chemical transformations because they can be applied in surfactants, polymers and other high‐value chemicals …”

“…Acetals are considered as cleavable surfactants and have been extensively studied as intermediates in the synthesis of ether‐type surfactants . Due to the lower number of calories required for its metabolism, xylitol is a better hydrophilic moiety for use as a surfactant to decrease the threat to human edible resources and achieve sustainable utilization .…”

“…Xylitol has five hydroxyl groups; two products, the monoacetal and diacetal can be obtained from the acetalization of xylitol with aldehydes (Scheme ). The diacetal containing a free hydroxyl group exhibits poor surfactant properties in an aqueous solution . However, the monoacetal is more suitable as a surfactant because it has a larger number of hydrophilic groups.…”

“…However, the monoacetal is more suitable as a surfactant because it has a larger number of hydrophilic groups. Moreover, from the perspective of the length of the hydrophobic chain, the carbon length of the aldehyde should be greater than six to give better surfactant properties . Therefore, monoacetals prepared from xylitol and long‐chain aliphatic aldehydes are more attractive and meaningful.…”