Φ-Sulfo Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonates (Φ-MES): A Novel Anionic Surfactant

Phi-Sulfo Fatty Methyl Esters sulfonates (Phi- MES) are new anionic surfactants obtained via sulfoxidation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) with SO2, O-2, and ultraviolet light of appropriate wavelength. The designation of Phi refers to the random positioning of SO3 in the alkyl chain. In this work we summarize the most relevant results of our research started fifteen years ago, on the synthesis, separation, and analysis f Phi- sulfo fatty methyl ester sulfonates known as Phi-MES, and we update our last findings. This work describes the optimum batch conditions for the sulfoxidation of FAME and a reaction mechanism is proposed. The paper depicts an improved workup for the separation of reaction products from non reacted methyl ester and the GC-MS analysis of Phi-sulfo fatty methyl ester sulfonate is shown. Besides, an interpretation of conversion and selectivity of sulfoxydation reaction is given. Even if this paper doesn't describe performance, we can advance that the experimental results obtained indicate that Phi-MES can be regarded as a potential component of detergent formulations and most likely of body care products mainly due to a very low skin irritation as it is shown in this work..