Synthesis and analytical properties of the polymerized surfactant pposa

A new low-polymer surfactant, poly(propylene oxide)--stearyldimethylammonium chloride (PPOSA) has been synthesized. It contains a polyglycol main chain and quaternary ammonium branched chains. Investigation of the surface-active properties of PPOSA showed that as a sensitizing and solubilizing reagent for spectrophotometric analysis it possesses some of the characteristics of both cationic and non-ionic surfactants. The surfactant shows a sensitizing effect superior or equal to that of classical surfactants commonly used in analytical chemistry. Use of PPOSA leads to development of some excellent micellar spectrophotometric procedures for determining trace metals.