Influence of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Presence on Esterification of Propylene Glycol with Lauric Acid

In this study, the influence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SIDS) on the direct esterification of 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol, PG) With dodecanoic acid (lauric acid, LA) was investigated. It was stated that formation of a mixed interfacial film of the anionic surfactant and synthesized monoacylpropyleneglycol (PGML) emulsifier lowers the interfacial tension between phases to produce a transparent microemulsion. Therefore, SDS was found to be effective in increasing the contact between reagents and, as a consequence, accelerating the reaction progress. The obtained products were liquid and transparent substances at room temperature. The particle size distribution of the formed microemulsion systems range from about 25-45 rim, depending on the concentration of surfactant in the reaction mixture. The hydrophilic-lipophilic properties of synthesized products were also studied. The concentration of SIDS in the reaction mixture influenced the hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) values of the obtained emulsifiers.