N-alkylated quaternary nitrogen-containing heterocycles

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The synthesis of 7-n-alkyl-imidazolium4,5-d-pyrimidines 6-, substituted-3n-alkyl-benzimidazolium- and 3n-alkyl-5,6-substituted-benzthiazolium salts are described. These N+-surfactants having a substituted heterocycle as a head group have distinguished small critical micelle concentrations (CMC) in the range of 10-5-10-7 Mol/Liter. The size and shape of these micelles in watery solutions are determined by the nature of the anion. The N-surfactants can be used as pharmaceuticals as well as reporter groups in fluorescence studies including immunological assays.