Alkylphosphinic surfactants with C14–C16 fatty chain

Alkylphosphinates with fatty acid chains are a group of not well known anionic phosphorus‐containing surfactants. This group of products has the hydrophobic chain linked directly to the phosphorus atom through a P‐C bond. An alkyl (C14–C16) phosphinate has been prepared by direct reaction between sodium hypophosphite and a commercial α‐olefin with detergent range C14–C16, using tert‐butyl perbenzoate as reaction initiator. The alkyl phosphinate (25% active matter) obtained has 2.79% of nonphosphinated substance. The surface tension of the sodium salt is 31.9 dynes/cm at 1 g active product/l at pH=8 and has a moderate foaming power. No significant wetting power has been found.