Synthesis of New Salt‐Resistant Sulfonate Gemini Surfactants with Hydroxyl Groups

Abstract Though the gemini surfactants have unique properties, their high cost limits their scope of application. The new salt‐resistant sulfonate gemini surfactants disodium 5,12‐bis(alkyloxymethyl)‐4,7,10,13‐tetraoxa‐2,15‐dihydroxyhexadecane 1,16‐disulfonates bearing two alkyl chains, two hydroxyl and two sulfonate groups were prepared from fatty alcohol, epichlorohydrin, glycol, sodium hydroxide, sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite. Their synthesis exhibited the advantages of low raw material cost, mild reaction conditions and easy operation. The structures of prepared compounds were confirmed by FTIR and 1 H NMR. These gemini surfactants show excellent surface‐active properties, good salt resistance and excellent foaming ability.