Synthesis and characterization of a novel double-tailed cationic surfactant

A novel double-tailed cationic surfactant, N,N′-didodecylacetamidinium bicarbonate, was prepared by reacting dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal with dodecylamine, followed by reacting with dry ice. MSD, FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 2D-NMR were used to confirm its structure. The surfactant reduced the surface tension of pure water to 24.7 mN m⁻¹ and its critical micelle concentration was 8.75 × 10⁻⁵ M. Formation of vesicle was also observed.