Synthesis of Alkanolamide: a Nonionic Surfactant from the Oil of Gliricidia sepium

Oil of Gliricidia sepium with high contents of C18:2 (32.2 ± 0.3%) and C18:1 (23.8 ± 0.5%) fatty acids was used in the preparation of diethanolamide and epoxidised diethanolamide via transamidation. The epoxidised diethanolamide was synthesized by peroxyformic acid generated in situ by reacting formic acid and hydrogen peroxide with the oil of G. sepium, a renewable resource. The formation of the amide was monitored and confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The epoxidised diethanolamide showed better surface‐active properties than the diethanolamide in terms of emulsion stability, wetting property and foaming power.