Novel double-chain nonionic surfactants with an acid decomposition function were prepared by acid-catalyzed condensation of chloroacetone with fatty alcohols (octyl, decyl, and dodecyl), followed by a Williamson reaction with polyethylene glycol without any expensive reagents and special equipment. These surfactants showed easy micelle formation compared to those of polyoxyethylene (n=9) dodecyl ether (C(12)EO9), and good foaming properties. The emulsion stability of these surfactants was almost the same as that of C(12)EO9. They decomposed completely after 30 min at pH 1. After 28 days they were more than 60% biodegradable and were almost the same as sodium dodecanoate.
