| abstract |
Novel nonionic gemini surfactants are extremely effective emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions that provide improved detergency at even low concentration levels. The surfactants are characterized by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R 1 is independently H or a C 1 to C 22 alkyl, R 2 is C 6 to C 22 alkyl and R 3 is D 1 --R 4 --D 1 or R 4 --D 1 --R 4 wherein R 4 is independently a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, --O--R 5 --O--, or aryl, e.g. phenyl, and D 1 is independently --O--, an amide group --C(O)N(R 6 )--!, an amino group --N(R 6 )--!, --O--R 5 --O--, or aryl. (EO) a (PO) b is a polyether group and Z is a C 1 -C 4 alkyl, or an alkylaryl or hydrogen wherein EO represents ethyleneoxy radicals, PO represents propyleneoxy radicals, a and b are numbers of from 0 to 100, a is preferably from about 0 to about 30 and b is preferably from about 0 to 10, wherein a plus b is at least one, and the EO and PO alkyl or alkylaryl. |