Surfactants with controlled half-lives

Surfactants with controlled half-lives normally contain a bond that is susceptible to either acid or alkaline hydrolysis. In recent years particular attention has been directed towards ester-containing quaternary ammonium surfactants, ‘ester-quats’, which readily break down under alkaline conditions. Surfactants containing acetal and ketal groups have been widely studied as acid-labile compounds. The main incentive behind the development in this area has been the synthesis of surfactants that will biodegrade rapidly.