Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Fluorinated Gemini Pyridinium Surfactants

A series of fluorinated gemini pyridinium amphiphiles have been prepared, purified and fully characterized. The synthesis was performed using alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates as the quaternizing agents, provided very good yields and overcame problems arising with other less powerful alkylating agents. The use of different characterization techniques, such as conductivity and surface tension measurements, shed light on the aggregation process. The title products showed interesting, unusual properties, which could be interpreted in view of a peculiar aggregating behaviour. This family of compounds is very interesting for their possible transfection activity and application in gene therapy.