TITLE:
Unsubstituted β-Alkyl Aspartates as Highly Biodegradable and Almost Nontoxic Surfactants
AUTHORS:
Sindija Brica, Maris Klavins, Andris Zicmanis
KEYWORDS:
Biodegradability, Surface Tension, Synthesis, Toxicity, Zwitterionic Surfactants
JOURNAL NAME:
Green and Sustainable Chemistry,
Vol.6 No.3,
August
11,
2016
ABSTRACT: Zwitterionic surfactants—β-alkyl aspartates are prepared by the addition reaction of ammonia to alkyl maleates. Factors are discussed that influence the quality and yields of obtained β-alkyl aspartates. Structures of obtained surfactants are confirmed by 1H NMR and IR spectra. The applicability of these materials is characterized by evaluation of their surface activity, toxicity and biodegradability.