Journal of Surface Engineered Materials and Advanced Technology, 2013, 3, 242-248 http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jsemat.2013.33032 Published Online July 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/jsemat) Synthesis and Characterization of Some New Cationic Derivatives of Biological Interest Moshera Z. Mohamed 1 , Samar A. Abubshait 2* , Eqbal J. Bushlaibi 2 1 Applied Surfactant Laboratory, Petrochemicals Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt; 2 Chemistry De- partment, College of Science, University of Dammam, Dammam, KSA. Email: * abubshait.s8@gmail.com, * sabubshait@ud.edu.sa Received April 24 th , 2013; revised May 26 th , 2013; accepted June 17 th , 2013 Copyright © 2013 Moshera Z. Mohamed et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT A homologous series of cationic surfactants were synthesized and characterized by spectral studies, mass, IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, 2D NMR and elemental analysis. The surface activities of these amphiphiles were measured, including sur- face tension (γ), critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness ( cmc ), efficiency (PC 20 ), maximum surface excess (Γ max ) and minimum surface area (A min ) at 25˚C. Adsorption and micellization free energies of these amphiphiles in their solutions showed a good tendency towards adsorption at the interfaces. The synthesized amphiphiles showed good antimicrobial activity. Keywords: Quaternary Ammonium Amphiphiles; Micellization; Adsorption; Surface Properties; Biological Activity of Quaternized 1. Introduction A clear understanding of the process of micellizations is necessary for rational interpretation of the effect of struc- tural and environmental factors on the value of the criti- cal micelle concentration. Quaternary ammonium com- pounds have scores of uses because of their affinity for negatively charged surfaces. Their surface active proper- ties also help in removing oil from the sand stone forma- tion. They also exhibit excellent germicidal activity in the bactericidal market [1,2]. These compounds are most effective against anaerobic bacteria (e.g. those that occur in oil wells). These bacteria are mainly sulfate reducers, and their growth frequently causes severe corrosion pro- blems in oil well pipes. Due to the economic losses as well as environmental health and safety hazards caused by the activity of stabilized mixed culture containing sulfate reducing bacteria (SMC-SRB) in many industrial sectors such as the oil and gas industry, it was important to minimize the risks resulting from SRB activity. Che- mical control by the use of the biocides was probably the most common method of controlling of biocorrosion [3]. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) are frequently used. However, it ought to be emphasized that SRB var- ied in their susceptibility to biocides [4]. Several studies indicated that some quats act as corrosion inhibitors and decrease sulfide production by SRB at low concentration than some biocides of commercial source [5]. This meant that quats had double purposes. Furthermore, it was found that quats were safe to handle [6]. 2. Experimental Procedures 2.1. Methods of Analysis and Instruments Firs Infrared spectra for prepared surfactants were meas- ured using Perkin Elmer Infrared spectrophotometer FTIR- 16FPC. The elemental analysis for the obtained surfac- tants was carried out using Perkin Elmer Elemental Ana- lyzer (series Π 2400). Proton nuclear magnetic resonance measurements H 1 NMR and 13 C NMR Spectroscopy were performed on a Bruker 400 MHZ advance 3 and the samples were run in DMSO-d 6. The 2D NMR (COSY and HMBC) spectra were measured using Jeol 500 MHZ JNM-LA 500. 2.2. Synthesis of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants Synthesis of quaternary ammonium surfactants (Quats) was performed on two steps as shown in Scheme 1. * Corresponding author. Copyright © 2013 SciRes. JSEMAT