Impact of molecular structure on the performance of methyl ester ethoxylates

Methyl ester ethoxylates are a new class of ethylene oxide (EO)-derived surfactants. Little is known about the impact of structural variations on their performance properties. The effects of carbon chain length, EO content, the degree of unsaturation of the methyl ester feedstock, and feedstock purity were examined for their impact on both physical properties and surfactant performance properties. Physical properties examined included surface properties (surface tension, critical micelle concentration, surface excess adsorption), melting point, water solubility, viscosity, foam stability, color, clarity, and odor. The impact of molecular structure on performance was examined for various applications, including laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, and hard-surface cleaners.