Preparation and properties of sulfonate salt‐type cleavable surfactants with a 1,3‐dioxane ring

A series of di‐anionic cleavable surfactants were prepared by the condensation of aldehydes with 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐1,3‐propanediol, followed by reaction with 1,3‐propanesultone in the presence of sodium hydride. Surfactant 5a had a different1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum in D2O than products 5b−d. This was rationalized by its different conformation, which originates from the self‐coiling of its alkyl chain. The critical micelle concentrations, Krafft points and hydrolysis properties of these surfactants were determined.