Abstract: Sulfonate Gemini surfactants R₂C₄ and D₂C₄(C represents methylene in spacer groups, R represents hydrophobic group nonyl, D represents hydrophobic group sec-octyl phenol)with different hydrophobic groups were synthesized using nonylphenol or octylphenol and 1, 4-dibromobutane. Surface activity, interfacial activity, emulsifying capability, foam property and thermal stability of the aqueous solution were studied, and influence of hydrophobic groups to performance was discussed. It is found that sulfonate Gemini surfactants have better surface activity, the cmc of R₂C₄ is lower and the critical surface tension of D₂C₄ is lower, R₂C₄ has better interfacial activity than D₂C₄; the emulsifying capability of R₂C₄ is superior to D₂C₄; the foaming tendency and foam stability of R₂C₄ gain the advantage over D₂C₄; the initial decomposition temperature of R₂C₄ and D₂C₄ can reach 293℃ and 322℃ respectively, so both have better thermal stability. The high degree of hydrophobic chains improves the thermal stability of Gemini surfactants.