Raman scattering spectra of Aerosol-OT homologous sodium dialkylsulfosuccinates and the environment of their hydrophobic chains

 A homologous series of sodium dialkylsulfosuccinates (SDAS) has been synthesized with various chain lengths (dibutyl, dihexyl, diheptyl, dioctyl, dinonyl, didecyl, diundecyl and didodecyl). These compounds are straight-chain analogues for Aerosol-OT. Raman scattering spectra have been recordered for these SDAS compounds, both in the solid state and in aqueous solutions. These spectra are analyzed in detail in the CH stretch and CH₂ deformation regions, and the results depend specifically on the length of the hydrocarbon chain. In particular, the longitudinal accordion-like vibrational modes coming from the all-trans n-alkyl chains have been investigated. For the SDAS dihydrates, all hydrocarbon chains take up an extended form, whereas for the monohydrates the tails tend to become disordered at the CH₂-CH₂ single bond close to the terminal methyl groups. It has also been confirmed that for the concentrated aqueous SDAS (sodium dibutylsulfosuccinate – sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate) samples preferential stabilization of the extended conformation of the hydrocarbon chain may occur. Received: 23 February 1999 Accepted: 10 May 1999