Properties and Applications of Sodium 2-Alkyl-5-(Ethoxycarbonyl)-1,3-Dioxane-5-Carboxylate Synthesized with Nano-Sulfonated Carbon

A series of novel sodium 2-alkyl-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylate surfactants were synthesized in high yield using nanosolid superacid sulfonated carbon as a catalyst and characterized by ¹H NMR, IR and elemental analysis. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the surfactants was determined and the results showed that the CMC values were less than 1.0 × 10^–3 mol/L. Other relevant surface properties were also evaluated, such as emulsion stability, foam ability and degradability. In relation to emulsion formation, foam stability and the range of application of temperature, the new surfactants showed better properties than traditional surfactants when used as an emulsifier in emulsion polymerization. Moreover, the surfactants were stable under alkaline and neutral conditions, and degraded into raw materials under acid condition. Convenient synthesis process with high yield and superior properties promisingly make the title compounds to be a type of ‘environmentally friendly’ surfactants.