Novel biodegradable and chemically recyclable carbonate-type cationic surfactants consisting of a long chain alkyl group and a quaternary ammonium propyl group were designed and synthesized as a green surfactant. These carbonate-type cationics showed better surface activities in an aqueous solution when compared to the conventional cationics. Novel cationics containing both the carbonate linkage and n-dodecyl group showed strong antimicrobial properties, enzymatic degradabilities for chemical recycling and rapid biodegradabilities by activated sludge.
Anti-Infective Agents Biodegradation, Environmental