The reaction of 2‐hydroxyoctadecanoyl chloride ( 2 ) and anthranilic acid gave 2‐(1‐hydroxyheptadecyl)‐4H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐one ( 3 ) which was used as starting material to synthesize some condensed and noncondensed heterocyclic compounds by reaction with nitrogen nucleophiles (e.g., hydrazine hydrate, and formamide). Subsequent reaction of the synthetic products with different amounts of propylene oxide gave a novel group of nonionic compounds having a double function as antimicrobial and surface active agents which may be useful in the manufacture of drugs, cosmetics, pesticides or as antibacterial and/or antifungal. The surface active properties such as surface and interfacial tensions, cloud point, foaming height, wetting time, and emulsification power were determined. The antimicrobial and biodegradability were also screened.
