Short chain glycerol 1-monoethers—a new class of green solvo-surfactants

Abstract

The synthesis of short eco-friendly amphiphilic compounds derived from glycerol was carried out. These compounds, called solvo-surfactants, are of great interest since they exhibit both properties of solvents, e.g. volatility, solubilization of organics, and surfactants, e.g. reduction of interfacial tensions, formation of emulsions and microemulsions. Their surface activity was studied, and binary phase diagrams with water were drawn. Their sensitivity to various electrolytes from Hofmeister's series was also investigated. Short chain glycerol 1-monoethers constitute a new class of green solvo-surfactants with excellent properties, that should be seriously considered for the replacement of reprotoxic glycol ethers. They have, moreover, the advantage of helping to solve the problem of an over-production of glycerol, which is a major side-product of the biocarburant industry.