LIGHT-DRIVEN REDOX PROCESSES IN FUNCTIONAL MICELLAR UNITS—III. Zn-TETRAPHENYLPORPHYRIN SENSITIZED REACTIONS IN METHYL VIOLOGENE SURFACTANT ASSEMBLIES

Abstract— The photoreduction of methyl viologene by ZnTPP triplet excited states was studied in mixed micelles containing the functional surfactant JV-dodecyl, N -methyl viologene (C₁₂MV²⁺) as one and Cetyltrimethylammoniumchloride (CTAC) as the other component. Using the laser photolysis technique the kinetics of the redox reaction were studied at various CTAC/C₁₂MV²⁺ ratios. The average time for the electron transfer decreases linearly with the C₁₂MV²⁺ occupancy. The back transfer from C₁₂MV²⁺ to ZnTPP²⁺ can be intercepted if a donor such as NADH is cosolubilized in the micelle. In such a system irreversible methyl viologene reduction is achieved which in the presence of a suitable redox catalyst can be used to produce hydrogen from water.