Abstract Eight novel uracil-based cationic surfactants containing Schiff base species were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR, 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy. The surface activities of the synthesized Schiff bases and their cationic derivatives were determined based on interfacial tension measurements and partition coefficient values in water/octanol system. The synthesized Schiff bases and their cationic ...