Infrared and Raman spectra of alkali palmityl sulfates

Abstract
Lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, and ammonium palmityl sulfates were prepared by sulfonation of n-hexadecanol, followed by treatment with the corresponding alkali carbonates; selectively deuterated palmityl sulfates were also synthesized to aid the assignment of certain vibrational modes. The infrared and Raman spectra of the polycrystalline solids were interpreted and discussed in terms of acyl chain and head group vibrations. Spectral evidence is presented for the existence of different solid polymorphic forms.