One Pot Synthesis and Properties of Cationic Surfactants: n‐Alkyl‐3‐Methylpyridinium Bromide

Three new amphiphilic compounds i.e., n‐decyl‐3‐methylpyridinium bromide (a), n‐dodecyl‐3‐methylpyridinium bromide (b), and n‐tetradecyl‐3‐methylpyridinium bromide (c), have been synthesized by condensation reaction and characterized by NMR (1H, 13C) and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The micellization behavior of the compounds has been studied in ethanol employing conductometry and UV/visible spectroscopy. The critical micellization concentration (CMC) values for compound a, b and c was found to be 0.31, 0.29 and 0.27 m mol L−1, respectively. Effect of temperature on the CMC was checked in the range of 298‐318 K. The thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG, ΔH and ΔS of the micellization process of these surfactants were computed. The negative values of ΔG and positive values of ΔH indicated the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the micellization process. Antimicrobial activities of these amphiphiles showed significant activity against different bacterial strains.