Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of perfluoroalkylacyl carnitines as surfactants for biomedical use

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0223-5234(91)90138-D

A series of acyl carnitines, 4 of which bearing a terminal perfluoroalkyl fragment, was obtained from carnitine in one step in a high grade of purity in yields ranging from 44-81percent.The F-alkyl derivatives display high solubilities in water, strong surface activity and a significant emulsifying power towards fluorocarbons in water.In spite of their strong surface activity, all of the biocompatibility tests performed (in vitro toxicity on Namalva cells cultures, hemolysis on human red blood cells, and iv injections in mice) indicate a significantly better biologicaltolerance than their hydrocarbon analogs, provided the F-alkyl moiety is larger than the alkyl moiety in the hydrophobic tail. fluorinated acyl carnitines / surfactants / emulsifiers / synthesis / biological acceptance / hemolysis / fluorocarbon emulsions