Perfluoroalkyl Epoxides: Synthesis and Conversion into Ionic Surfactants

Perfluoroalkylated surfactants having a quaternary ammonium surrounded by three hydroxyl groups as hydrophilic moiety and a perfluoroalkyl chain as tail were obtained by coupling diethanolamine with perfluoroalkylated epoxide followed by quaternisation. The amphiphilic properties of these surfactants were investigated by measuring their surface and interfacial tensions.