Study on cloud points of Triton X-100-cationic gemini surfactants mixtures: A spectroscopic approach

This study investigates the effects of various cationic surfactants on the cloud point (CP) of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 (TX-100) in aqueous solutions. Instead of visual observation, a spectrophotometer was used for measurement of the cloud point temperatures. The values of CPs for Triton X-100 can be measured directly because TX-100 has an average number of oxyethylene units per molecule of p ≈ 9.5 and a CP = 66.0 °C. Quaternary ammonium dimeric surfactants (m-s-m, m = 10, 12, and 16, and s = 2, 6, and 10) were synthesized and used. The melting temperature T_M and the Krafft temperature T_K were measured for 1 wt% aqueous solutions of these synthesized surfactants. The melting temperature of the solid gemini surfactants increased with the carbon number of the alkyl chain. The results showed that additions of the gemini surfactants (which are infinitely miscible with water) to Triton X-100 increased the cloud point of the TX-100 solutions. All salts tested in these studies had a large effect on the CPs of nonionic surfactants due to their effect on water structure and their hydrophilicity. The effect of the alkyl chain length of the gemini surfactant on the CP of Triton X-100 is therefore more important than the spacer chain length.     

The adsorption behavior of cationic surfactant onto human hair fibers

Quaternary ammonium surfactants are important ingredients that are frequently formulated into hair care products to modify the properties of hair surface. The adsorption kinetics, isotherms and association structures of cationic surfactants on hair surface, however, are not fully understood due to the heterogeneous nature of human hair fibers. In this work, a quaternary ammonium of surfactant, dimethylpabamidopropyl laurdimonium tosylate (DDABDT) was chosen as a probe to investigate the adsorption behavior of cationic surfactant on cuticles of scalp hair. The results reveal that the adsorption kinetics fit to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the adsorption isotherms fit to the Freundlich adsorption model. With the increase of DDABDT adsorption, the wettability of hair fibers changes from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The association structure could be monolayer or bilayer depending on the initial concentration of the surfactant. In the monolayer structure, the ‘anchor’ surfactant molecules are believed to adsorb vertically on the surface of hair fibers through electrostatic interaction. In the bilayer structure, the second layer molecules may then pile up on top of the first layer with charged groups orienting outward. The thickness of DDABDT film on hair fibers treated with 5 × 10^?4 mol/l DDABDT solution is measured to be 5.42 nm on average with a force–distance method. This figure is very close to the two times of the theoretical molecular size of the DDABDT molecule.     

Quantitation of quaternary ammonium compounds using electrospray mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific electrospray mass spectroscopic assay has been developed for the quantitation of the series of quaternary ammonium surfactant compounds dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and neostigmine bromide. Standard solutions were prepared in methanol, with an appropriate quaternary ammonium internal standard used in each case, and injected into a carrier solvent comprising acetonitrile (99%) and methanol (1%). Detection was based upon the positively charged quaternary ammonium ion in each case. Using this new technique, significant increases in sensitivity have been obtained over more traditional gas chromatographic–mass spectroscopic analytical techniques. All of the compounds tested were readily quantifiable at solution concentrations of 50 ppb, with linear correlations (r²>0.995) obtained over the range 50–300 ppb for the alkyltrimethylammonium bromides, and 50–200 ppb for neostigmine bromide. It is envisaged that, using this method, adsorption isotherms for these compounds on highly adsorbing activated carbons should be readily acquired.     

Kinetics of the diazotization and azo coupling reactions of procaine in the micellar media

The kinetics of the diazotization reaction of procaine in the presence of anionic micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic micelles of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (DDTAB) and tetradecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (TDTAB) were carried out spectrophotometrically at λ_max = 289 nm. The values of the pseudo first order rate constant were found to be linearly dependent upon the [NaNO₂] in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ to 12.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ in the presence of 2.0 × 10⁻² mol dm⁻³ acetic acid. The concentration of procaine was kept constant at 6.50 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³. The addition of the cationic surfactants increased the reaction rate and gave plateau like curve. The addition of SDS micelles to the reactants initially increased the rate of reaction and gave maximum like curve. The maximum value of the rate constant was found to be 9.44 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ at 2.00 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SDS concentration. The azo coupling of diazonium ion with β-naphthol (at λ_max = 488) nm was found to linearly dependent upon [ProcN₂⁺] in the presence of both the cationic micelles (CTAB, DDTAB and TDTAB) and anionic micelles (SDS). Both the cationic and anionic micelles inhibited the rate of reactions. The kinetic results in the presence of micelles are explained using the Berezin pseudophase model. This model was also used to determine the kinetic parameters e.g. k_m, K_s from the observed results of the variation of rate constant at different [surfactants].     

Diffusion coefficients of bolaform alkane-1,n-bis(trimethylammonium bromide) surfactants

Mutual diffusion coefficients of alkane-1,n-bis(trimethylammonium bromide), C_nMe₆Br₂ (n = 8, 10, 12), surfactants have been measured using the Taylor dispersion technique, at T = 298.15 K, at concentrations from (0.000 to 0.0380) mol · dm⁻³. The dependence of mutual diffusion coefficients on the concentration has been discussed in the framework of Onsager–Fuoss and Pikal models. On the basis of this discussion, it is suggested that these surfactants behave as associated electrolytes. From limiting mutual diffusion coefficient values, extrapolated from experimental values for c → 0, limiting ionic conductance, tracer diffusion coefficients, and hydration radii of alkane-1,n-bistrymethyl ammonium ions have been estimated. For the case of dodecane-1,12-bis(trimethylammonium bromide), no aggregation has been noticed up to 0.04 mol · dm⁻³.     

Synthesis and surface activity of a novel heterodouble chained N-acyltaurate amphiphile

A novel double chained amphiphile,N-(α-4-hexylphenoxy)-lauroyltaurate(abbreviated as 10 6B-T),has been synthesized. The structures of main intermediate products and the title product were characterized by ~1H NMR.The new amphiphile shows high surface activity.The critical micelle concentration(cmc),which is 1.1×10~(-5)mol/L,is much lower than that of conventional double chained surfactants,such as sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate(AOT).     

Modular construction of pyrido[24]crown-8-based templates in the self-assembly of cross-linked [n]catenanes

Starting from the versatile 4-bromopyrido[24]crown-8 building block, novel ditopic and tritopic receptors have been synthesized and shown to be appropriate hosts for bis(4-formylbenzyl)ammonium hexafluorophosphate. Association constants (per binding site) for the corresponding [3]- and [4]pseudorotaxanes, assembled from these components, were determined to be 2753  M^?1 and 723  M^?1, respectively. Mechanical bond formation was attempted utilizing dynamic imine bond formation between the formyl groups of the bound dibenzylammonium threads and p-phenylenediamine.     

Enantioselective Michael reaction of β-keto esters organocatalyzed by recoverable Cinchona-derived dimeric ammonium salts

Dimeric anthracenyldimethyl-derived Cinchona ammonium salts are used as chiral organocatalysts in 1–10 mol % for the enantioselective conjugate addition of 2-alkoxycarbonyl-1-indanones to β-unsubstituted Michael acceptors. The corresponding adducts bearing a new all-carbon quaternary center were usually obtained in high yield and with up to 94% ee when using ammonium salts derived from quinidine and its pseudoenantiomer quinine as organocatalysts. These catalysts can be almost recovered quantitatively by precipitation in ether and reused.     

Synthesis and controlled release properties of β-naphthoxyacetic acid intercalated Mg–Al layered double hydroxides nanohybrids

Controlled release formulations have been proven to have potential in overcoming the drawbacks of conventional plant growth regulators. Novel controlled-release formulation of β-naphthoxyacetic acid (BNOA) intercalated MgAl-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was prepared by co-precipitation method. The effects of temperature, pH value, and release medium on BNOA release were studied and the releasing mechanisms were discussed. The results of release show that the increase of temperature induces the increase of BNOA release extent. The release rate and accumulated release amount of BNOA are found to be dependent to the anion in the aqueous solution in the order of CO₃²⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > Cl⁻. Moreover, the pH is the key controlling factor for the BNOA release processes, and with strong acid medium, the release character of BNOA is different from those at pH 7 and 12, which accompanies with fast collapse of LDHs nanolayered structure. The nanohybrid of BNOA intercalated LDHs possessed good controlled release properties and the BNOA release character from the nanohybrid fitted pseudo-second-order model in neutral medium.     

Formation of DNA complexes with diblock copolymers of poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) and polycations

The self-assembly of calf thymus DNA with diblock copolymers of poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) (HPMA) and polycations (PC) with amino or quaternary ammonium groups in their side chains was tested by static and dynamic light scattering methods in aqueous 0.15 M NaCl. We have observed formation of well defined clusters of single DNA interpolyelectrolyte complexes with hydrodynamic radii of about 300 nm. Long-term size stability of clusters has been found to be a function of chemical structure of PC and of diblock copolymer composition. The most stable clusters were obtained by DNA association with diblock copolymers consisting of a poly(HPMA) block (A) and polycation block (B) with quaternary ammonium groups in their side chains, with molecular weight of A block higher than that of B. In the opposite case, lower molecular weight of A block, slow aggregation of SIPEC clusters was observed. The micelle-like structure was proposed for these clusters.     

Bis[2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-sulpho propylamino)phenolato]cobaltate(III) as a counter ion for the extraction and spectrophotometric determination of long-chain quaternary ammonium salts and tertiary alkylamines in the presence of each other

The singly charged complex anion bis[2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-sulphopropylamino)phenolato]cobaltate(III) is intensely purple-violet and is stable over the pH range 1–13. Its absorption spectrum remains the same over this pH range. At pH2, it forms extractable ion pairs with long-chain quaternary ammonium ions and protonated alkylamines. Only the quaternary ammonium ions are extracted into chloroform at pH 11, hence separate extractions allow both types to be determined. The absorbance of the organic phase is measured at 594 nm. The apparent molar absorptivity is 7.0 × 10⁴ l mol^?1 cm^?1. Calibration graphs for zephiramine, benzethonium and hexadecylpyridinium ions are linear over the range 0.1–2 × 10^?6 M. The only interference found was from anionic surfactants. The method is applied to hair and fabric conditioners.     

Pervaporation separation of methanol/methyl t-butyl ether through chitosan composite membrane modified with surfactants

We investigated the efficiency of pervaporation separation of methanol/methyl-t-butyl ether (MTBE) mixture through chitosan composite membrane modified with sulfuric acid and four surfactants. Effects of feed concentration, temperature, crosslinking degree and type of surfactants were studied. The chitosan composite membrane modified with sulfuric acid showed the pervaporation performance of over 70 wt% methanol in the permeate and flux of 100 g/m² h measured at 25°C. At 50°C, the separation factor decreased while the flux increased exceeding 300 g/m² h. For the membrane complexed with surfactants, the permeate showed 98.3 wt% methanol concentration and 470 g/m² h of permeate flux at 25°C. With increasing operating temperature, the permeate flux remarkably increased to 1170 g/m² h and the permeate showed 97.8 wt% methanol concentrations.     

A novel deep eutectic solvent-based ionic liquid used as electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells

We utilize a quaternary ammonium salt-derivative ionic liquid called G.CI which is a eutectic mixture of glycerol and choline iodide as electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells. Such eutectic compound belongs to a new series of ionic liquid called deep eutectic solvents (DES), which possess many outstanding features compared to the traditional imidazolium-based ionic liquids including cheap raw materials, simple preparation procedures and better biocompatibility. Current–voltage characteristics of the G.CI/PMII-based binary electrolytes stand at 0.533 V on V_oc, 12.0 mA cm^?2 on J_sc, 0.582 on fill factor, and 3.88% cell efficiency under AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm² illuminations. The comparable cell performance together with all the above advantages makes G.CI as a strong candidate for future electrolyte development for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).     

Thermodynamic stability and retinol binding property of β-lactoglobulin in the presence of cationic surfactants

In this work the stability parameters of bovine β-lactoglobulin, variant A (BLG-A), with regard to their transition curves induced by dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₂TAB), tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₄TAB) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₆TAB) as cationic surfactants, were determined at 298 K. For each transition curve, the conventional method of analysis which assumes a linear concentration dependence of the pre- and post-transition base lines, gave the most realistic values for ΔG_D(H₂O). The results represent the increase in the denaturating power of surfactants with an increase in hydrocarbon chain length. The value of about 22.27 kJ · mol^?1 was obtained for ΔG_D(H₂O) from transition curves. Subsequently, the retinol binding property of BLG as its functional indicator was investigated in the presence of these surfactants using the spectrofluorimeter titration method. The results represent the substantial enhancement of retinol binding affinity of BLG in the presence of these surfactants.     

Chiral quaternary alkylammonium ionic liquid [Pro-dabco][BF4]: as a recyclable and highly efficient organocatalyst for asymmetric Michael addition reactions

A novel series of chiral quaternary ammonium ionic liquids have been synthesized and shown to be very effective catalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones and aldehydes to nitroolefins with excellent yields (up to 100%), diastereoselectivities (syn/anti = 99:1), and enantioselectivities (up to 97%). The catalytic system, an ionic liquid organocatalyst in [Bmim][BF₄], could be reused five times without a significant loss in catalytic activity or stereoselectivity.     

Preparation of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonate and 3-amino-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonate and assessment of their selective uptake of aromatic compounds from aqueous solutions

Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (Mg–Al LDHs) intercalated with 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonate (NTS^3?) and 3-amino-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonate (ANDS^2?) ions were prepared by coprecipitation and were characterized by X-ray diffraction and chemical analyses. Based on X-ray diffraction patterns, the naphthalene rings of NTS^3? and ANDS^2? were most likely oriented parallel to the brucite-like host layers of the Mg–Al LDH, midway between layers. The prepared Mg–Al LDHs were able to selectively take up aromatics from aqueous solutions, and the order of percentage uptake was as follows: 1,3-dinitrobenzene > nitrobenzene > benzaldehyde > N,N-dimethylaniline > anisole > 1,2-dimethoxybenzene. The differences in the extent of π–π stacking interactions occurring between the benzene rings of the aromatics and the naphthalene ring of the intercalated NTS^3? and ANDS^2? probably resulted in these differences among the absorbed quantities of the various aromatics.     

Synthesis of novel quaternary ammonium surfactants containing adamantane

A series of novel quaternary ammonium surfactants containing adamantane were designed and synthesized from 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid.The structures of target surfactants were confirmed by]H NMR,elements analysis and FTIR.Surface properties of these surfactants were investigated.Due to the lipophilicity of adamantane,the critical micelle concentration（CMC） and C₂₀ values of the synthesized quaternary ammonium surfactants are lower than that of conventional quaternary ammonium surfactants.     

Thermodynamic properties of (NaCl + KCl + LiCl + H2O) at T = 298.15 K: Water activities,osmotic and activity coefficients

The water activities of aqueous electrolyte mixture (NaCl + KCl + LiCl + H₂O) were experimentally determined at T = 298.15 K by the hygrometric method at total ionic-strength from 0.4 mol · kg⁻¹ to 6 mol · kg⁻¹ for different ionic-strength fractions y of NaCl with y = 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3. The data allow the deduction of new osmotic coefficients. The results obtained were correlated by Pitzer’s model and Dinane’s mixing rules ECA I and ECA II for calculations of the water activity in mixed aqueous electrolytes. A new Dinane–Pitzer model is proposed for the calculation of osmotic coefficients in quaternary aqueous mixtures using the newly ternary and quaternary ionic mixing parameters of this studied system. The solute activity coefficients of component in the mixture are also determined for different ionic-strength fractions y of NaCl.     

Recoverable Cinchona ammonium salts as organocatalysts in the enantioselective Michael addition of β-keto esters

Several dimeric Cinchona-alkaloid anthracenyldimethyl-derived ammonium salts, are used as organocatalysts in the enantioselective Michael addition reaction of cyclic β-keto esters to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, in the presence of diisopropylethylamine as a base (30 mol %), for the generation of enantiomerically enriched adducts bearing quaternary stereocenters. Quinine and quinidine-derived dimeric ammonium salts (1–10 mol %) afford the opposite and higher enantioselectivities of the corresponding adducts (up to 94% ee) in good yields (up to 98%). Substituted 2-alkoxycarbonyl-1-indanones are used as nucleophile precursors, as well as ethyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate and tert-butyl 2,5-dioxo-1-phenylpyrrolidine-3-carboxylate. These organocatalysts can be recovered at the end of the reaction by precipitation in ether and reused without any loss of activity.     

Simultaneous preconcentration of cadmium,cobalt and nickel in water samples by cationic micellar precipitation and their determination by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

In the present study an easy micellar precipitation process at ambient temperature using cationic surfactant cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was applied to the simultaneous extraction of cadmium, cobalt and nickel from aqueous samples. The analytical procedure involved the complex formation of these cations with 1,8-dihydroxyanthrone as a chelating agent in buffer media of pH 7.0. After the phase separation, the precipitated complexes were first dissolved in 0.25 mL of 80:20 propanol–water mixture containing 0.03 mL HNO₃ and then subjected to the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis. The concentration of 1,8-dihydroxyanthrone, pH, amount of CTAB and centrifuge time was optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the preconcentration factor was 40 and the improvement factors of 11.6, 9.5 and 14.4 with detection limits of 0.008, 0.009 and 0.004 (ng mL^? 1) were obtained for Cd, Co and Ni respectively. Under the presence of foreign ions no significant interference was observed. Finally, the proposed extraction method was successfully applied to the determination of these elements in various water and geological CRM samples with recovery percentages of 97–104% and RSD values of 1.87–2.36%.