Surfactants Europa 3rd Edition

A Directory of Surface Active Agents available in Europe

By Gordon L. Hollis

The Royal Society of Chemistry

Copyright © 1995 The Royal Society of Chemistry
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-85404-804-5

Contents

Preface, ix,
Introduction and notes on the we of this directory, x,
Glossary, xv,
Definitions, xviii,
Abbreviations, xix,
1 Amphoterics, 1,
Acetates, 1,
Betaines, 1,
G1ycinates, 7,
Imidazolines, 8,
Propionates, 11,
Miscellaneous amphoterics, 14,
2 Anionics, 19,
Alkyl sulfates, 19,
Alkylaryl sulfonates, 29,
Alkylarylether carboxylates, 41,
A1kylarylether sulfates, 41,
Alkylether carboxylates, 43,
Alkylether sulfates, 4.5,
Lignin products, 54,
Olefine sulfonates, 57,
Paraffin sulfonates, 57,
Phosphate esters, 58,
Sarcosinates, 72,
Sulfosuccinates/sulfosuccinmates, 74,
Taurates/isethionates, 83,
Miscellaneous anionics, 84,
3 Cationics, 99,
Amides, 99,
Amidoamines, 100,
Amine salts, 101,
Amines, 103,
Diamines, 110,
Imidazolines, 112,
Quaternaries, 114,
Miscellaneous cationics, 133,
4 Nonionics, 139,
Alkoxylates, 139,
Alcohol ethoxylates, 139,
Alkylphenol ethoxylates, 181,
Amide ethoxylates, 200,
Amine ethoxylates, 201,
Block polymers, 210,
Ester ethoxylates, 217,
Fatty acid ethoxylates, 226,
Glyceride ethoxylates, 231,
Miscellaneous ethoxylates, 241,
Other alkoxylates, 245,
Alkylolamides, 256,
Amine oxides, 268,
Esters, 272,
Miscellaneous nonionics, 317,
5 Miscellaneous surfactants, 333,
Fluorochemicals, 333,
Glucosides, 335,
Lanolin and wool wax derivatives, 336,
Polymer-based products, 343,
Protein-based surfactants, 348,
Silicon-based products, 350,
Other surfactants including blends, 355,
Indexes, 389,
Index of company addresses, 389,
Index of companies, 415,
Index of trade names, 417,

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

and notes on the use of this directory

1. Nature of surfactants

The term SURFACTANTS is the contemporary name for surface active agents, the class of chemical products whose molecules are able to modify the properties of an interface, e.g. liquid/air or liquid/liquid by lowering the surface or interfacial tension, with associated changes occurring in other properties, e.g. wetting. Depending on the precise chemical nature of the product, the properties of, for example, emulsification, detergency and foaming may be exhibited in varying degrees.

Every surfactant possesses the fundamental characteristic of having two essential portions, one being water repellent, usually called hydrophobic (or lipophilic), the other being water attractive, usually called hydrophilic (lipophobic). The hydrophobic portion comprises a collection of hydrocarbon groups, some at least of which form a linear chain which may or may not be substituted to varying extents. The hydrophilic portion comprises a solubilising group such as sulfate, sulfonate or ethoxylate, for example.

The number and arrangement of the hydrocarbon groups together with the nature and position of the hydrophilic groups combine to determine the surface active properties of the molecule. C12 to C20 is generally regarded as the range covering optimum detergency properties while optimum wetting and foaming properties usually occur at somewhat shorter chain lengths.

Surfactants fall into four categories depending on the distribution of electrical charge on the molecule viz.

(i) Anionic in which the hydrophobic portion of the molecule carries a residual negative charge e.g. sodium dodecyl sulfate:

CH3(CH2)10CH2OSO3-Na+

(ii) Cationic in which the hydrophobic portion carries a residual positive charge e.g. cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]

(iii) Nonionic in which there is no residual electrical charge e.g. dodecylalcohol ethoxylate:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]

(iv) Amphoteric in which both positive and negative centres are to be found in the molecule e.g. alkyldimethylbetaine:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]

Further examples of products in the above categories are to be found in the product lists and in the glossary of chemical formulae.

Each of the above types finds application in industry though anionic and nonionic types are used in much greater quantities than cationic and amphoteric.

Depending on the conditions prevailing, cationic, anionic or nonionic type properties may be exhibited. The following, however, should be noted:

(i) Long chain amines are not strictly cationic in neutral solution but do exhibit that property in the form of salts, e.g. acetates. Amines are nevertheless listed under the heading ‘cationics’ for convenient reference.

(ii) Amine ethoxylates are listed in this directory under ethoxylates (i.e. nonionics) even though relatively short chain ethoxylates exhibit cationic properties.

(iii) Amine oxides in neutral or alkaline solution are essentially nonionics but weakly cationic below about pH 3. They are listed under nonionics.

Anionics and nonionics form the organic active constituent of detergents and also find widespread usage in wetting, spreading, emulsification, dispersing, foaming and other applications in a whole host of manufacturing industries including textiles, plastics, paints, paper, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, agricultural preparations and many more.

Cationics are mainly used for bactericidal and softening applications but also find outlets in, for example, ore flotation and road making. They are not of importance in providing detergency as such.

Amphoterics have many actual and potential applications including detergency but hitherto have attracted relatively little commercial interest on account of their high cost of manufacture. Their usage, however, is now increasing, in part at least, because of their extra mildness to the skin providing real advantages in cosmetic and toiletry preparations.

2. Scope

The technical criterion for inclusion of a product in this directory is that it is considered to be a surfactant as described in section 1 of this introduction.

There are however many definitions of ‘surfactant’ depending on personal preference and field of usage, e.g. textiles. Some operators regard a dispersant, for example, as a surfactant while others would not. Some chemicals which fall into this wider definition of surfactants have been included for completeness.

Therefore, products listed in the directory should not necessarily be regarded as surfactants under any of those definitions used in section 1. This should be noted particularly in a litigation context.

The commercial criterion for inclusion is that the product listed should be on the product range of a company possessing a selling organisation or an approved agent in a European country, irrespective of where the product is manufactured. Data have, in all cases, been provided by the supplier.

In theory, any product is potentially available worldwide regardless of where it is manufactured. Imports are nevertheless an important part of the surfactant scene. However, the majority of products used in a particular country, especially in the larger countries of the developed areas of the world, will normally be made in that country.

It should be noted that often the product range publicised by a manufacturer represents only a fraction of those surfactants potentially available. By varying the quantity and types of hydrophobes and hydrophiles it is possible to create a vast number of surfactants. This is particularly so in the case of the versatile alkoxylates where the number of moles of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide per mole of hydrophobe is theoretically almost limitless. Values between 1 and over 100 occur in practice. In these cases, where specific ranges are offered, others can frequently be tailor-made by arrangement with the manufacturer.

It will be appreciated that considerable time is needed for compilation, editing and printing of this directory following receipt of product information. During this time, changes in products may be taking place. Such changes will be relatively small. However, there may be significant changes, especially in expanding companies or those experiencing product rationalisation.

While the directory is believed to provide an accurate overall picture of product and product range availability at the beginning of 1995, it is imperative that, when contemplating the use of a particular product, the supplier should be consulted regarding current availability or suitable alternatives.

3. Presentation of data

Surfactants are listed on the basis of the four types described in section I, with subdivision where appropriate, together with a miscellaneous section covering:

(i) Certain blends of surfactants, often including products of more than one class.

(ii) Products of undisclosed composition.

For ease of cross-reference, an alphabetical list of trade names is included. An alphabetical list of the suppliers’ name, address, telephone and fax numbers throughout Europe is provided and there is a chemical formula glossary covering the many surfactant types listed.

4. Company names

The name used to identify companies in the product listings is normally a suitably short name sufficient to identify the company. The full official name appears in the address index for those countries in Europe in which the company is represented for commercial purposes either by an associate company or by an appointed agent. Address details are confined to Europe. Many companies operate worldwide and details of addresses outside Europe can normally be obtained from the headquarters or local addresses.

This edition reflects the extensive changes that have taken place over recent years in company ownership. Many one-time familiar names both of companies and products no longer appear. In many cases the products are still offered, but by a different company. The products may be available under the same trade name as before, but are often available under a new trade name.

5. Terminology

As with organic compounds in general, there is more than one way of naming most surfactants. In addition, these names become distorted as a result of commercialisation. In many cases more than one of these names is in regular use for a given product or class of products.

The situation may be illustrated by the case of the product having the following chemical formula:

[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]

where R is a mixture of alkyl groups in the region of C12 H25/C14H29.

This product will be recognised as a key ingredient of many liquid detergent formulations. Names by which it may be known include:

lauryl ether sulfate

lauryl 3-ethoxysulfate

lauryl 3EO sulfate

sodium salt of linear alcohol ethoxysulfate

alkyl polyglycol ether sulfate

There are thus many ways of naming the above product. In addition the term lauryl is capable of more than one interpretation. In the strict text book sense, this alcohol has the formula:

CH3(CH2)10CH2OH

Commercially, however, lauryl alcohol is normally offered in two grades. The purer form is usually called narrow cut and comprises a mixture of lauryl alcohol (CH3,(CH2)10 CH2OH) and myristyl (CH3(CH2)12 CH2OH) alcohol in ratio of approximately 2:l.

The broad cut grade in common use comprises the analogous products having even numbers of carbon atoms between 8 and 18 inclusive, peaking in the C12/14 range and sometimes known as coconut alcohol.

In applications where the true lauryl alcohol is used e.g. in dentrifice formulations, it is called n-dodecyl alcohol to distinguish it from the lauryl as commercially understood.

Over the years, a number of alcohols made by so-called synthetic processes using petrochemically derived feed-stocks have appeared on the market for uses similar to those of the traditional lauryl alcohol derived from natural sources, viz coconut oil and palm kernel oil. In actual product descriptions the word lauryl is sometimes used in a generic sense implying lauryl type alcohols.

The chemical names used in this directory are those used by the suppliers in their literature. In a number of cases products are described by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) designation instead of or in addition to their traditional names. This has been done when the appropriate data have been provided by the supplier but no attempt has been made to introduce the CTFA designation when not supplied, in order to avoid possible misrepresentation.

It follows therefore that essentially the same product will be named in different ways in different places. To introduce chemical names other than those long established by a given supplier could lead to unnecessary confusion.

6. Surfactant application

For a directory such as this to be of maximum value, the properties of each product must be related to industries in which it finds or is likely to find application.

Whilst some products are restricted in usage to specific applications for which they may have been specially tailored, most are more likely to possess a variety of properties which may be usefully employed in many fields.

For reasons of space and sometimes availability of data, key uses only have been mentioned. Such information varies from supplier to supplier. Some companies state properties and applications for each product within a series while others prefer to summarise for a group of products.

Further, one company’s information may differ from another’s for what is apparently the same product. It must be emphasised that, while some of these variations may be as a result of company preference and space constraints, there may be good reasons why a product should not be used in place of an apparently similar one.

There might be important effects on, for example, physical properties and compatibility which are of great importance in application e.g. in formulations. These differences can arise, for example, through variations in the feedstock from which the hydrophobe is made, the method of conversion to the surfactant, the reagent and/or catalyst used, or the degree of purification.

It is essential therefore that before any product is used for a given application, its suitability be confirmed by the would-be user, consulting with the supplier if in any doubt whatever.

7. Patent liability

Mention in this directory of the use of a given product in a particular application or of its manufacture by a particular method does not imply freedom from patent restrictions of any kind. Manufacturers and users should, in their own interests, clarify their positions in this respect in advance of any operation or application involving the surfactants listed.

8. Environmental

In recent years, as we are all aware, environmental considerations have assumed an increasingly prominent place in the whole of life. In the post-war years, particularly from the 1960’s onwards, increases in living standards throughout the world, particularly in the developed countries, have been associated with ever-improving quality and efficiency in product types, usage and production using new branches of science and technology that have been developed so comprehensively.

This situation has brought great benefits to society as a whole but, as so often in such situations, associated adverse (or allegedly adverse) factors have to be taken into account. The time for the latter has now been with us for some time and the chemical industry is under increasing scrutiny in respect of toxicity, waste disposal and environmental effects in general.

As those Concerned with the industry at the time will recall, surfactants experienced their own problems starting over 40 years ago in the field of biodegradability. Extensive investigations carried out in the ’50’s and ’60’s brought acceptable solutions to this problem which has steadily receded from the spotlight following adoption of recommendations or compliance with regulations as appropriate throughout the world. Should this compliance ever, for any reason, diminish, then the problem could be expected to return to the headlines and probably with even greater urgency bearing in mind the level of environmental awareness now prevalent.

It is therefore the responsibility of all those concerned with surfactant production and usage to become and remain acquainted with the biodegradability requirements and any other regulations applicable in all areas throughout the world where their products are liable to be used. In cases where usage involves direct contact with the person, e.g. in cosmetic, toiletry and food applications, a precise knowledge of all necessary regulations and requirements is obviously of even greater importance.

(Continues…)Excerpted from Surfactants Europa 3rd Edition by Gordon L. Hollis. Copyright © 1995 The Royal Society of Chemistry. Excerpted by permission of The Royal Society of Chemistry.
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