Aggregation properties of siloxane surfactants with phenyldimethylsiloxyl groups in aqueous solution

Research Progress in Structure Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of Small-Molecule Silicone Surfactants

Silicone surfactants have garnered significant research attention owing to their superior properties, such as wettability, ductility, and permeability. Small-molecular silicone surfactants with simple molecular structures outperform polymeric silicone surfactants in terms of surface activity, emulsification, wetting, foaming, and other areas. Moreover, silicone surfactants with small molecules exhibit a diverse and rich molecular structure. This review discusses various synthetic routes for the synthesis of different classes of surfactants, including single-chain, "umbrella" structure, double chain, bolaform, Gemini, and stimulus-responsive surfactants. The fundamental surface/interface properties of the synthesized surfactants are also highlighted. Additionally, these surfactants have demonstrated enormous potential in agricultural synergism, drug delivery, mineral flotation, enhanced oil recovery, separation, and extraction, and foam fire-fighting.

The Use of the Thiol-Ene Addition Click Reaction in the Chemistry of Organosilicon Compounds: An Alternative or a Supplement to the Classical Hydrosilylation?

This review presents the main achievements in the use of the thiol-ene reaction in the chemistry of silicones. Works are considered, starting from monomers and ending with materials.The main advantages and disadvantages of this reaction are demonstrated using various examples. A critical analysis of the use of this reaction is made in comparison with the hydrosilylation reaction.

The ultimate Lewis acid catalyst: using tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane to create bespoke siloxane architectures

The breadth of utility of a commercially available and stable strong Lewis acid catalyst, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, has been explored, highlighting its use towards a wide range of unique siloxane products and their corresponding applications. This article focuses on the variety of different outcomes that this impressive borane offers in controlled and selective manners by the variation of reaction conditions, precursor functionalities, reagent or catalyst loading, and the mechanistic considerations that contribute. With a predominant focus on the Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction and its modifications, tris(pentaflurophenyl)borane's utility is highlighted in the synthesis of linear, cyclic and macrocyclic siloxanes, aryl-/alkoxysiloxanes, and other bespoke products. The significance of the catalytic transformation within the field of siloxane chemistry is discussed alongside some of the challenges that arise from using the borane catalyst.

Aggregation Behavior and Intermolecular Interaction of Cationic Trisiloxane Surfactants: Effects of Unsaturation

Imidazolium/pyridinium-based trisiloxane surfactants containing a phenyl or vinyl group in the hydrophobic siloxane chain, bis(vinyldimethylsiloxy)methylsilylpropyl-pyridinium chloride (Vi-Si₃pyrCl), bis(vinyldimethylsiloxy)methylsilylpropyl-imidazolium chloride (Vi-Si₃minCl), and bis(phenyldimethylsiloxy)methylsilylpropylimidazolium chloride (Ph-Si₃minCl), were synthesized and confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR), mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The effect of the phenyl/vinyl group on their micellization behavior was studied by surface tension, electric conductivity, dynamic light scattering, 2D nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) NMR, and transmission electron microscopy. Owing to the hydrophobicity of the siloxane groups and cationic head groups, the critical micelle concentration (cmc) values follow the order Ph-Si₃minCl < Vi-Si₃pyrCl < Vi-Si₃minCl < Si₃pyrCl. Ph-Si₃minCl has a larger γ_cmc value, resulting from the introduction of the phenyldimethylsiloxy unit (π-π stacking interaction). The β values of Vi-Si₃minCl and Ph-Si₃minCl increase with the increase in temperature, which is attributed to the intermolecular interaction which hinders the association of Cl^- with the imidazolium ring and confirmed by 2D NOESY NMR. In aqueous solutions, the investigated cationic trisiloxane surfactants can self-assemble into spherical aggregates.