Synthesis and characterization of cleavable cationic surfactants with a 1,3-dioxane ring.

A series of cationic cleavable surfactants was prepared by condensation of 2-alkyl-1,3-propanediols with 3-bromopropanal, followed by reaction with triethylamine. Each surfactant is a mixture of two diastereomers, and their precursors' stereochemical assignments were based onH nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and melting points. The critical micelle concentrations, Krafft points and destructibility of these surfactants were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]