1,3-Bis(3-ammonium-propyl)tetramethyldisiloxane-sulfate: Structural characterization and evaluation of some properties

1,3-Bis(3-ammonium-propyl)tetramethyldisiloxane sulfate resulted from the reaction between 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane with a proper transition metal (iron(III) or vanadium(IV) oxide) salt as anion generator and a carbonylic compound (4-imidazole carboxaldehyde or 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) as a metal collector, in methanol, was thoroughly characterized. The compound’s structure was proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectral (FT-IR, 1H NMR) analysis, while the thermal behavior was evaluated by thermogravimetry. Water vapor sorption capacity on the crystalline compound was measured in dynamic regime. The co-existence of hydrophobic bis(propyl)tetramethyldisiloxane moiety and telechelic hydrophilic groups constitutes a premise for surface activity, as confirmed by tensiometry. Formation of micelles and aggregates in solution was emphasized by dynamic light scattering and confirmed by AFM images taken on the spin coated films, both revealing closed values for size of the micelles (100–200 nm).