Linear amino acid surfactants having surface-active properties

Abstract

Derivatives of amino acids that have surface-active properties are provided. The amino acid can be naturally occurring or synthetic, or they may be obtained via a ring-opening reaction of a lactam, such as caprolactam. The amino acid can be naturally occurring or synthetic, or they may be obtained via a ring-opening reaction of a lactam, such as caprolactam. The amino acid may be functionalized to form a compound that is surface-active and have advantageous surfactant characteristics. The compounds of the present disclosure have low critical micelle concentrations (CMC) as well as superior ability to lower the surface tension at an interface of otherwise immiscible phases of materials.

Images