Synthesis and interfacial properties of taurine-headgroup anionic surfactants derived from tallow and petroleum-derived feedstocks

An eco-friendly anionic surfactant with a taurine headgroup was synthesized from beef tallow (a naturally mixed and renewable lipid feedstock) via a three-step process (transesterification, ene addition, and imidization). The use of unrefined tallow eliminated the need for purification of individual fatty acid components, demonstrating a practical and energy-efficient approach for converting complex natural mixtures into functional surfactants. The incorporation of taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) introduced a distinctive sulfonate headgroup connected through an imide linkage, imparting favorable interfacial behavior and molecular stability. A series of taurine-based surfactants with different chain lengths and branching were synthesized and systematically characterized to elucidate structure–property relationships. The tallow-derived surfactant, rich in branched C18:1 chains, exhibited a low critical micelle concentration of 0.46 mmol·L -1 , a large headgroup area, and excellent emulsion stability. When formulated into detergent, it delivered high cleaning efficiency comparable to commercial surfactants derived from petrochemical or highly purified plant-based feedstocks. These findings demonstrate a sustainable route for producing high-performance taurine-headgroup anionic surfactants directly from unrefined animal fats, offering renewable raw-material utilization, energy-efficient synthesis, and structural potential for biodegradability as key advantages over conventional petroleum-derived systems