Molecular Segments Reorganization Strategy Coupled With Retrosynthetic Analysis for Designing Sustainable Alternatives to Alkylphenol Ethoxylates.

Alkylphenol ethoxylates is an important fine chemical that has been used in industrial cleaning, textile manufacture, and emulsion polymerization. However, their petrochemical origin and adverse health effects, particularly xeno-oestrogenic activity, pose a challenge for sustainability and have been almost banned globally. Herein, we report a novel bio-based cyclohexyl fatty alcohol ethoxylates (CyCCnE9) by applying molecular segments reorganization strategy and retrosynthetic analysis method. By constructing acid-base bifunctional Zn-based single-atom catalyst, we achieved efficient synthesis of CyCCnE9. These bio-based CyCCnE9 displayed outstanding defoaming ability, super-wettability, and better emulsification ability. More excitingly, the primary degradation products of CyCCnE9 demonstrated markedly reduced toxicity toward zebrafish embryos and larvae, suggesting superior biocompatibility. The CyCCnE9 showed excellent low-temperature cleaning performance toward stains of various metallic surfaces. This work paves new ways to create sustainable alternative of alkylphenol ethoxylates using renewable biomass resources, as well as provide inspiring insights for the transformative revolution of other petroleum-based restricted products.