Process-Focused Synthesis, Crystallization, and Physicochemical Characterization of Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate

There is a notable lack of published data concerning sodium cocoyl isethionate despite widespread application in the personal care industry. A specific homologue, sodium lauroyl isethionate (SLI), was therefore synthesized, purified by recrystallization, and then subjected to a detailed physicochemical examination. A purity of 98% was achieved via repeat recrystallization in methanol. A turbidimetric solubility analysis was then executed to identify both its crystallizability and metastable zone width as a function of temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis yielded decomposition onsets of 330 °C for the purified SLI. A dynamic vapor sorption study also demonstrated reversibility in the 2.3% mass gained when it was exposed to sustained humidity of 87%. Surface tension measurements of purified SLI yielded a critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 5.4 mM and a plateau surface tension of 38 mN/m at 20 °C. Both values are lower than the previously reported values for SLI in water, thus indicating the performa...