Synthesis and properties of a new gemini surfactant

A new gemini sulfosuccinate surfactant was prepared by sulfonation of an intermediate ester while the intermediate ester was prepared by mono-esterification of maleic anhydride with ethylene glycol in acetone as reaction medium solvent,followed by di-esterification with hexanol.Optimal process conditions were as follows:mono-esterification at 70 ℃ for 2.0 h with a 2.05∶1 molar ratio between maleic anhydride and ethylene glycol,the yield of mono-esterification was 94.6%;di-esterification at 160 ℃ for 40 min with a 1.15∶1 molar ratio between hexanol and maleic anhydride and the yield of di-esterification was about 95%,sulfonation reaction with 110 ℃ for 2.5 h and a 1.05∶1 molar ratio between sodium hydrosulfite and maleic anhydride and the yield of sulfonation product was 99.5%.The surfactant product shows good surface activity as well as rather good emulsifying power,wetting and penetration power and detergency.