Larry Joffre, Senior Research Chemist, Process and Product Research, Surface Chemistry Americas

Sulfosuccinate anionic surfactants are offered commercially by AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry. Sulfosuccinates are an important class of anionic surfactants and are widely recognized for their low eye and skin irritation properties. These surfactants are of great interest because of their excellent foaming, strong wetting, emulsifying and solubilizing properties, effectiveness in reducing surface tension and biodegradability.

Sulfosuccinates are the sodium salts of alkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid (see Figure).
The alkyl esters are of two types – monoalkylesters (II) and dialkylesters (III). The monoesters, in turn can be sub-divided into types – amido alcohol and alcohol (including ethoxylated alcohol). In sulfosuccinate esters, the sulfosuccinic ester group acts as the hydrophile. The hydrophobe (alkyl chain) can be derived from an alcohol, an ethoxylated alcohol or an alkanolamide. Due to the ester moiety, all sulfosuccinates are sensitive to strong acids and alkalis, which can lead to hydrolysis of the product.

Sulfosuccinate monoesters are excellent foamers with outstanding skin and eye compatibilities making them ideal additives for ultra-mild skin care, shampoo and related personal care products. Sulfosuccinate diesters are weak foaming surfactants with good wetting power. The diesters are also dispersants, emulsifiers and penetrating agents for numerous industrial applications such as textiles, polymers, paints and coatings, printing and agriculture.

AkzoNobel has both the alkoxylation and sulfonation technologies to produce specific sulfosuccinates to meet customer needs. We can offer a spectrum of product variations to suit your preferences: fatty chain length, degree of saturation, degree of ethoxylation, distribution of homologs, novel narrow range alcohol ethoxylates, type of alkanolamine and mole ratio of the acid to alcohol.

With ISO certified research laboratories and manufacturing sites strategically located throughout the world, AkzoNobel stands ready to provide innovative assistance in product development. Please contact your local AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry account manager, or visit us at the locations listed in this electronic publication.