Optically active surfactants - I - The first synthesis and properties of sodium bis [(S) ethyl-2-hexyl] sulfosuccinates ('Aerosol OT')

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)88470-2

Optically pure (S) ethyl-2-hexan-1-ol (S)4 is prepared for the first time from (S) ethyl-2-hexanoic acid. Nucleophilic addition of sodium bisulfite on the bis [(S) ethyl-2-hexyl] maleate gives rise to an equimolar mixture of two optically active sodium bis [(S) ethyl-2-hexyl] sulfosuccinates diastereoisomers. The critical micelle concentration of these new optically active surfactants is almost identical to those of the well known racemic 'Aerosol OT'.