New anionic gemini surfactants with low CMC values (ca. 10(-4) mol dm(-3)) can be synthesized by a simple synthetic route using readily available reagents. The synthesis involves the reaction of a diamine with 2-dodecen-1-ylsuccinic anhydride to form a bis(1-dodecenylsuccinamic acid), which is neutralized to form the sodium salt. The product consists of a mixture of regioisomers, but the CMC values are consistent between samples.