Abstract A series of acyl carnitines, 4 of which bearing a terminal perfluoroalkyl fragment, was obtained from carnitine in one step in a high grade of purity in yields ranging from 44– 81%. The F-alkyl derivatives display high solubilities in water, strong surface activity and a significant emulsifying power towards fluorocarbons in water. In spite of their strong surface activity, all the biocompatibility tests performed (in vitro toxicity on Namalva cells cultures, ...
