Comparison studies of propylene oxide addition to phenyloctadecanol and phenyloctadecanoic acid and the surface activity studies of their sulphated products

Abstract

Phenyloctadecanol and phenyloctadecanoic acid were produced via Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of benzene and oleyl alcohol (60 ºC) or oleic acid at (80 ºC) respectively. A comparison study was achieved for the addition of propylene oxide to both substrates in the presence of base (KOH) and Lewis acid (SbCl5) catalysts. It was found that, the hydroxypropylation of both substrates at low temperature via Lewis acid catalyst is more preferable than via the base catalyst. The surface activity of the sulphated products was determined. The results revealed that, the samples produced from alcohol (phenyloctadecanol) show a better surface activity than that from acid (phenyloctadecanoic acid). On the other hand the samples produced from both substrates using Lewis acid catalyst have a better surface activity than that produced with the base catalyst.

Keywords

• hydroxypropylation
• phenyloctadecanol
• phenyloctadecanoic acid
• sulphation
• surface activity