Abstract: Palmitic acid monoethanolamide(PMEA) was synthesized by the reaction of palmitic acid with monoethanolamine. The nonionic surfactant palmitic acid monoethanolamide polyglycoside(PMEAPG),which has not been reported in the literature, was obtained by transglycosidation of PMEA with n-butyl glycoside. The suitable synthesis conditions of PMEA were:molar ratios of n-butyl to glucose and catalyst to glucose 6:1 and 0.03:1 respectively, reaction temperature 120℃, reaction time 3 h. Suitable synthesis conditions of PMEAPG were:molar ratio of PMEA to n-butyl glycoside 1:1,reaction temperature 145℃, reaction time 1 h.

Key words: palmitic acid, monoethanolamine, palmitic acid monoethanolamide polyglycoside, transglycosidation