Synthesis of Cationic Surfactant Intermediates 3-(dimethylamino)-propane-1,2-di-alkylcarbamate

Abstract

Abstract Two cationic surfactant intermediates were synthesized by improved method. The alkyl isocyanates, dodecyl isocyanate (1a) and tetradecyl isocyanate (1b), were synthesized by corresponding alkyl amines and bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate (BTC) in anhydrous toluene. The yield of 1a–b reached 86%, the product was colorless liquid and the purity was measured more than 98% by GC. The target products, 3-(dimethylamino)propane-1,2-di-dodecylcarbamate (2a) and 3-(dimethylamino)propane-1,2-di-tetradecylcarbamate (2b) were synthesized by 1-dimethylamino-2,3-propanediol and alkyl isocyanates with triethylamine as catalyst, the yield of 2a–b was 65%.