Synthesis of Long Chain N-Alkyllactylahines From Unprotected Lactose a Nev Series of Non-Ionic Surfactants

Surfactants based on sugars are employed in the extraction of proteins and in chiral synthesis. However, all current methods for their preparation require initial protection of the sugar giving rise to a long and costly synthesis. We describe here a two stage route to a new series of non-ionic surfactants starting from unprotected lactose. The N-alkyllactylamines were found to have comparable surfactant properties to existing sugar-based homologs.