Nonionic surfactants based on copolymers of dioctyl itaconate with dioxypropylated itaconic acid

Four series of nonionic copolymer surfactants have been prepared by the free radical copolymerizations of dioctyl itaconate (DOI) with dioxypropylated itaconic acid. Copolymerization reactions were carried out in solution at 70°C using 1mol. percent azopisisoputyronitrile as a free radical initiator. The copolymers were obtained by reprecipitation from petroleum ether (40‐60) and finaly dried in vacuum at 60°C. The structural features of these nonionic copolymer surfactants have been confirmed by IR and ¹HNMR spectra. The surface active properties of these polymers were compared and evaluated, including solubility, cloud point, surface properties, interfacial tension, foaming emulsification and biodegradability. Most of the products are good biodegradable surfactants; which manifested the importance of their application in pollution problems.