PA.FPNS: its synthesis and use in spectrophotometric determination of magnesium

A new polymeric chromogenic reagent PA.FPNS has been synthesized by condensing polyallylamine (PA) with 3-(4-formylphenylazo)-4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid (FPNS) and its properties studied. In alkaline media, PA.FPNS reacts with magnesium to form a water-soluble blue complex, whose absorption maximum is at 604 nm. The molar absorptivity (varepsilon) of the complex is 5.2 x 10(4)l mol(-1) cm(-1), which is four times that of the FPNS-Mg complex, and Beer's law is obeyed over the range 0-0.35 mug ml(-1) magnesium. Compared to the corresponding low-molecular-weight FPNS and other chromogenic reagents, PA.FPNS offers considerably improved sensitivity and selectivity for magnesium, which may be attributed to incorporating FPNS into a water-soluble polymer and the effect of the polymeric chain on the reaction microenvironment. Also, a simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of magnesium has been developed and applied to water and human fluid samples with satisfactory results.     

Carborane-containing liquid crystals: a comparison of 4-octyloxy-4-(12-pentyl-1,12-dicarbadodecaboran-1-yl)biphenyl with its hydrocarbon analogues

4-Octyloxy-4-(12-pentyl-1,12-dicarbadodecaboran-1-yl)biphenyl ( 1BC ) has been synthesized along with three hydrocarbon analogues in which the 1,12-dicarbadodecaborane is replaced by a phenyl ( 1PH ), trans -cyclohexyl ( 1CH ) or bicyclo\[2.2.2]octyl ( 1BO ) ring. The mesogenic properties of these materials have been compared and contrasted in both their pure states and as binary mixtures. The binary phase diagrams for the liquid crystal 1BC , with its hydrocarbon analogues 1CH and 1BO exhibit excellent miscibility of the smectic A phase while the more highly ordered smectic phases (SmB and SmE) for the hydrocarbons are suppressed by 1BC . In contrast the binary mixture of 1BC with the terphenyl analog ( 1PH ) exhibits complex behaviour in which the thermal stability of the smectic E phase is enhanced. X-ray diffraction data for the 1PH - 1BC binary mixture suggest a strong in-plane molecular ordering which might be attributed to intermolecular associations stabilizing the smectic E phase in preference to other smectic modifications.     

Rapid mutation detection in complex genes by heteroduplex analysis with capillary array electrophoresis

Mutational analysis of large multiexon genes without prevalent mutations is a laborious undertaking that requires the use of a high-throughput scanning technique. The Human Genome Project has enabled the development of powerful techniques for mutation detection in large multiexon genes. We have transferred heteroduplex analysis (HA) by conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis of the two major breast cancer (BC) predisposing genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, to a multicapillary DNA sequencer in order to increase the throughput of this technique. This new method that we have called heteroduplex analysis by capillary array electrophoresis (HA-CAE) is based on the use of multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), different fluorescent labels and HA in a 16-capillary DNA sequencer. To date, a total of 114 different DNA sequence variants (19 insertions/deletions and 95 single-nucleotide substitutions - SNS) of BRCA1 and BRCA2 from 431 unrelated BC families have been successfully detected by HA-CAE. In addition, we have optimized the multiplex-PCR conditions for the colorectal cancer genes MLH1 and MSH2 in order to analyze them by HA-CAE. Both genes have been amplified in 13 multiplex groups, which contain the 35 exons, and their corresponding flanking intronic sequences. MLH1 and MSH2 have been analyzed in nine hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer patients, and we have found six different DNA changes: one complex deletion/insertion mutation in MLH1 exon 19 and another five SNS. Only the complex mutation and one SNS may be classified as cancer-prone mutations. Our experience has revealed that HA-CAE is a simple, fast, reproducible and sensitive method to scan the sequences of complex genes.     

Synthesis and Spectral Properties of Phenyl‐Pyridin‐2‐Ylmethylene‐Amine Complex of Rhodium(III)

A new complex of [Rh(PA)₂Cl₂]Cl·H₂O (where PA = phenyl‐pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene‐amine) has been synthesized and characterized. The complex shows high intensity bands in the UV region, and these are assigned to spin‐allowed π‐π* transitions. The medium‐intensity absorption band profile in the lower energy region can be explained by convolution of spin‐allowed CT and d‐d* transitions. Emission spectrum at low temperature (77 K) of the complex in EtOH/MeOH (4:1 v/v) has also been investigated. It shows a broad, symmetric, and structureless red emission with micro second life time and hence is assigned as d‐d* phosphorescence. Voltammetric data have also been obtained for the complex. There were three reduction peaks observed for the complex. The first peak, including two reduction steps with elimination of two chlorides, is consistent with ECEC reaction.     

牛血清白蛋白-Cu2＋结合过程中盐酸小檗碱的变构效应

用核磁共振(1H NMR)、圆二色谱(CD)、荧光光谱(FS)以及紫外光谱(UV)技术考察了中药有效成分盐酸小檗碱(BC)对牛血清白蛋白(BSA)-Cu2＋结合过程的变构效应, 得到分别表征BSA内源荧光猝灭、BSA-Cu2＋复合物稳定性以及Cu2＋在BSA分子上的结合位点发生变构的定量效应参数βQ (βA和βn)和效率参数γQ (γA和γn). 结果表明, BC对Cu2＋猝灭BSA内源荧光呈负变构效应(0＜βQ＜1), 而对BSA-Cu2＋复合物稳定性以及Cu2＋在BSA分子上的结合位点呈正变构效应(βA＞1, βn＞1); 变构效应随BC浓度增加而增强, BC对BSA-Cu2＋复合物稳定性的变构效率明显高于其对荧光猝灭和结合位点的变构; BSA分子构象转变是变构效应的主要原因.     

INDO/SCF-CI calculations and structural spectroscopic studies of some complexes of 4-hydroxyacetanilide

The electronic energies among different possible structures of 4-hydroxyacetanilide (paracetamol) (PA) molecule, were calculated using INDO method and it has been concluded that its structure has C(s) point group symmetry of the cis-form. The ionization potential, electron affinity, dipole moment and binding energy have been calculated. The calculated electronic transitions of the cis-form of PA using SCF-CI method have good coincidence with the electronic absorption spectrum. The temperature effect on the electronic spectrum of PA confirms the presence of one conformer only. The electronic spectra of PA compound were studied in different polar- and non-polar solvents and the hydrogen bonding as well as the orientation energies of the polar solvents were determined from the mixed solvents studies. Complexes of PA with various metal ions such as, Cu(II), Zn(II) or Fe(II) ions of ratio 2:1, respectively, have been prepared and their structure has been confirmed by elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectra, IR spectra and (1)H NMR spectra and finally it can be concluded that the structure of the complexes has C2h point group symmetry in which two PA molecules are chelated to any one of the metal ions, Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(II) ions.     

稀土-二苯甲酰甲烷、邻菲咯啉固态配合物及其掺杂硅胶共发光效应的光声光谱研究

合成了Eu(Dbm)₃·Phen同核和Eu_0.8Ln_0.2(Dbm)₃·Phen(Ln:Er³⁺,Y³⁺)异核固体配合物微晶粉末及其掺杂的SiO2凝胶样品,在300～800nm范围内测定了其光声光谱.结果表明,配合物Eu_0.8Er_0.2(Dbm)₃·Phen,Eu(Dbm)₃·Phen和Eu_0.8Y_0.2(Dbm)₃·Phen配体吸收处的光声强度依次减弱;而Eu_0.8Y_0.2(Dbm)₃·Phen和Eu(Dbm)₃·Phen配合物掺杂的凝胶则情况相反.研究发现,光声强度与稀土配合物分子中能量传递过程相关,Er³⁺,Y³⁺离子的引入改变了三元配合物的弛豫过程,且配合物在粉末状态和凝胶状态的弛豫历程不尽相同.结合荧光光谱,从无辐射跃迁和辐射跃迁的角度分析了标题化合物在两种不同固体状态下的发光性质.     

Synthesis and characterization of some Schiff base transition metal complexes derived from vanillin and L(+)alanine

The cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II)-vanillidene-L(+)alanine complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, magnetic behavior, infrared, electronic spectral measurements, X-ray powder diffraction and biological studies. The conductance measurements indicate that all the complexes are non-electrolytes. The infrared spectra indicate the coordination of imino nitrogen, phenolic oxygen and carboxylato oxygen atoms. The electronic spectral measurements demonstrate that cobalt(II) and nickel(II)-vanillidene-L(+)alanine complexes are tetrahedral, while copper(II)-vanillidene-L(+)alanine complex has square planar geometry. The cobalt(II) complex is found to be ferromagnetic. The powder XRD studies confirm the crystalline nature of the complexes. The ligand and complexes were less active against PN, PA and BC, whereas copper complex shows moderate activity against AN.     

14N NQR study of polymorphism and hydrogen bonding in molecular complex isonicotinamide-oxalic acid (2:1)

The complete (14)N nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectra have been measured in the two polymorphic crystalline phases of the molecular complex isonicotinamide-oxalic acid (2:1) by nuclear quadrupole double resonance. The observed NQR frequencies, quadrupole coupling constants, and asymmetry parameters (η) have been assigned to the two nitrogen positions (ring and amide) in a molecule on the basis of the intensity and multiplicity of the double resonance signals. The NQR data for the ring nitrogen in both polymorphic phases deviate from the correlation relations observed in substituted pyridines. This deviation is analyzed in a model, where it is assumed that an additional electric charge on the nitrogen atom changes the NQR parameters. The model suggests that this additional electric charge is negative so that the N···H-O hydrogen bond seem to be partially ionic, of the type N(-)···H-O.     

Study of bulk chain coupling reactions. III. Reaction between bisoxazolines or bisoxazlines and carboxy-terminated oligomers

2,2′-Bis(2-oxazoline) and 2,2′-bis[5,6-dihydro-(4H)-1,3-oxazine] have been used as chain coupling reagents ( CC ) and reacted in the bulk with α,ω-dicarboxy-poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene adipate) ( PS ) or with α,ω-dicarboxy-polyamide 12 ( PA ). The reactions have been followed by viscosimetry, titration of COOH groups and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. Either with the PS/CC or PA/CC systems, or with the model system dodecanoic acid ( DA )/ CC , the reactions were fast, since in most cases 80% conversion was reached after 15 min reaction. The expected DA dimer or high molar mass PA or PS polymers were obtained. No significant side reaction has been detected. The thermal stability of the resulting polymers is higher than that of starting oligomers. Due to the introduction of CC units in the chains, the crystallinity of PA/CC is slower than that of starting PA . © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Targeted drug delivery utilizing protein-like molecular architecture

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (nanoDDSs) have seen recent popularity due to their favorable physical, chemical, and biological properties, and great efforts have been made to target nanoDDSs to specific cellular receptors. CD44/chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) is among the receptors overexpressed in metastatic melanoma, and the sequence to which it binds within the type IV collagen triple-helix has been identified. A triple-helical "peptide-amphiphile" (alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA), which binds CD44/CSPG, has been constructed and incorporated into liposomes of differing lipid compositions. Liposomes containing distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) as the major bilayer component, in combination with distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DSPG) and cholesterol, were more stable than analogous liposomes containing dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) instead of DSPC. When dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine (DLPC):DSPG:cholesterol liposomes were prepared, monotectic behavior was observed. The presence of the alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA conferred greater stability to the DPPC liposomal systems and did not affect the stability of the DSPC liposomes. A positive correlation was observed for cellular fluorophore delivery by the alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA liposomes and CD44/CSPG receptor content in metastatic melanoma and fibroblast cell lines. Conversely, nontargeted liposomes delivered minimal fluorophore to these cells regardless of the CD44/CSPG receptor content. When metastatic melanoma cells and fibroblasts were treated with exogeneous alpha1(IV)1263-1277, prior to incubation with alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA liposomes, to potentially disrupt receptor/liposome interactions, a dose-dependent decrease in the amount of fluorophore delivered was observed. Overall, our results suggest that PA-targeted liposomes can be constructed and rationally fine-tuned for drug delivery applications based on lipid composition. The selectivity of alpha1(IV)1263-1277 PA liposomes for CD44/CSPG-containing cells represents a targeted-nanoDDS with potential for further development and application.     

Isotopic evidence for condensed aromatics from non-pyrogenic sources in soils--implications for current methods for quantifying soil black carbon

Black carbon (BC) is a complex continuum of partly charred organic matter predominantly consisting of condensed aromatic and graphitic moieties and it has high potential for long-term carbon sequestration in soils and sediments. There has been common agreement that BC is exclusively formed by incomplete combustion of organic matter, while non-pyrogenic sources are negligible. In this study, we investigated the stable carbon isotope signature of benzenepolycarboxylic acids (BPCAs) as molecular markers for BC to test if there is also a significant contribution of non-pyrogenic carbon to this fraction in soils. BPCAs were formed by hot nitric acid oxidation of different soils and analyzed by three different procedures: (i) elemental analysis - isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) of bulk BPCAs and gas chromatography - combustion - isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) of (ii) BPCA trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives, and (iii) BPCA methyl derivatives. Best accuracy and precision of isotope measurements were obtained by EA-IRMS of bulk BPCAs although this method has a risk of contamination by non-BC-derived compounds. The accuracy and precision of GC-C-IRMS measurements were superior for methyl derivatives (+/-0.1 per thousand and 0.5 per thousand, respectively) to those for TMS derivatives (+3.5 per thousand and 2.2 per thousand, respectively).Comparison of BPCA delta(13)C values of soil samples prior to and after laboratory and field incubations with both positive and negative (13)C labels at natural and artificial abundances revealed that up to 25% of the isolated BC fraction in soils had been produced in situ, without fire or charring. Commonly applied methods to quantify BC exclusively formed by pyrogenic processes may thus be biased by a significant non-pyrogenic fraction. Further research is encouraged to better define isolated BC fractions and/or understand mechanisms for non-pyrogenic BC production in soils.     

Fourier transformed infrared spectral investigations of molecular interactions in propionic acid–2-propanol binary system

FTIR spectra of propionic acid (PA), 2-propanol (PROH) and its binary mixtures with varying molefraction of the PA were recorded in the region 500–3500 cm^?1, to investigate the formation of hydrogen bonded complexes in a mixed system. The observed features in ν(CO), ν(CO) and δ(COH) of PA, ν(CO) of PROH and δ(COH) of PA + PROH have been explained in terms of the hydrogen bonding interactions between PROH and PA and dipole–dipole interaction. The dipole moment derivative for the above mentioned vibrational modes have also been predicted from the integrated absorbance. The intrinsic linewidth for the vibrational modes ν(CO) and δ(COH) of PA has been elucidated using Bondarev and Mardaeva model.     

Selective nucleation and discovery of organic polymorphs through epitaxy with single crystal substrates.

Crystallization of 5-methyl-2-[(2-nitrophenyl)amino]-3-thiophenecarbonitrile (1), previously found to produce six conformational polymorphs from solution, on single-crystal pimelic acid (PA) substrates results in selective and oriented growth of the metastable "YN" (yellow needle) polymorph on the (101)(PA) faces of the substrate. Though the freshly cleaved substrate crystals expose (101)(PA) and (111)(PA) faces, which are both decorated with [101](PA) ledges that could serve as nucleation sites, crystal growth of YN occurs on only (101)(PA). Goniometry measurements performed with an atomic force microscope reveal that the (001)(YN) plane contacts (101)(PA) with a crystal orientation [100](YN)//[010](PA) and [010](YN)//[101](PA). A geometric lattice analysis using a newly developed program dubbed GRACE (geometric real-space analysis of crystal epitaxy) indicates that this interfacial configuration arises from optimal two-dimensional epitaxy and that among the six polymorphs of 1, only the YN polymorph, in the observed orientation, achieves reasonable epitaxial match to (101)(PA). The geometric analysis also reveals that none of the polymorphs, including YN, can achieve comparable epitaxial match with (111)(PA), consistent with the absence of nucleation on this crystal face. In contrast, sublimation of 1 on cleaved succinic acid (SA) substrates, which expose large (010)(SA) faces decorated with steps along [101](SA), affords growth of several polymorphs, each with multiple orientations, as well as oriented crystals of a new metastable polymorph on the (010)(SA) surfaces. The lack of polymorphic selectivity on (010)(SA) can be explained by the geometric lattice analysis, which reveals low-grade epitaxial matches between (010)(SA) and several polymorphs of 1 but no inherent selectivity toward a single polymorph. These observations demonstrate the sensitivity of crystal nucleation to substrate surface structure, the potential of crystalline substrates for selective nucleation and discovery of polymorphs, and the utility of geometric lattice modeling for screening of substrate libraries for controlling polymorphism.     

A new tripodal receptor for molecular recognition of monosaccharides. A paradigm for assessing glycoside binding affinities and selectivities by 1H NMR spectroscopy

A new tripodal receptor for the recognition of monosaccharides is described. The prototypical host 1 features a 1,3,5-substituted 2,4,6-triethylbenzene scaffold bearing three convergent H-bonding units. The binding ability of the t-octyl derivative 1a toward a set of octylglycosides of biologically relevant monosaccharides, including Glc, Gal, Man, and GlcNAc, was investigated by 1H NMR in CDCl3. A protocol for the correct evaluation of binding affinities was established, which can be generally applied for the recognition of monosaccharides by 1H NMR spectroscopy. A three-constant equilibrium model, including 1:1 and 2:1 host-guest association and dimerization of the receptor, was ascertained for the interaction of 1a with all the investigated glycosides. An affinity index, which we defined median binding concentration BC50 in analogy to the IC50 parameter, intended to address the general issue of comparing dimensionally heterogeneous binding data, and a limiting BC0(50)quantity describing intrinsic binding affinities were developed for evaluating the results. BC0(50) values for 1a range from 1 to 6 mM, indicating an intrinsic binding affinity in the millimolar range and a selectivity factor of 5 toward the investigated glycosides. The treatment has been extended to include any generic host-guest system involved in single or multiple binding equilibria.     

Two-photon absorption properties of iron(II) and ruthenium(II) trischelate complexes of 2,2':4,4' ':4',4' '-quaterpyridinium ligands

A series of RuII or FeII trischelate complex salts containing N-methyl/aryl-2,2':4,4' ':4',4' '-quaterpyridinium ligands that has previously been subjected to quadratic nonlinear optical studies (Coe, B. J. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 13399) has now been investigated for two-photon absorbing behavior. Z-scan measurements using a 750 nm laser afford reasonably large two-photon absorption (2PA) cross-sections sigma2 of ca. 62-180 GM for the RuII complexes, but only very weak 2PA is observed for the FeII compounds. The excited-state and 2PA properties of the representative chromophore [RuII(Me2Qpy2+)3]8+ (Me2Qpy2+=N' ',N' '-dimethyl-2,2':4,4' ':4',4' '-quaterpyridinium) have also been investigated by using semiempirical intermediate neglect of differential overlap/multireference-determinant single and double configuration interaction computations with the optimized geometry obtained via density functional theory. The calculated sigma2 value of ca. 624 GM at 1.70 eV for this metal-to-ligand charge-transfer chromophore is about 10 times larger than that obtained from the Z-scan studies.     

Micellar effect on the reaction of picolinic acid catalyzed chromium(VI) oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide in aqueous acidic media: A kinetic study

The kinetics and mechanism of picolinic acid (PA) catalyzed oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to dimethyl sulfone by chromium(VI) in both aqueous H₂SO₄ and HClO₄ media have been studied in the absence and presence of surfactants at different temperatures. Cr(VI)–PA complex formed in preequilibrium steps is the active oxidant that experiences the nucleophilic attack by DMSO to form a positively charged intermediate ternary complex. Within the proposed ternary complex, an oxygen transfer or a ligand coupling or both occurs to generate the product, dimethyl sulfone. Cr(VI) is ultimately converted to Cr(III)–PA complex. Under the experimental conditions, the process shows a first‐order dependence on each of the reactants (i.e., [Cr(VI)]_T, [PA]_T, [DMSO]_T, and [H⁺]). HCrO₄⁻ has been found kinetically active. The reaction is catalyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, a representative anionic surfactant) monotonically, while cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC, a representative cationic surfactant) retards the reaction continuously. The observed micellar effects have been explained by considering the hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction between the surfactants and reactants. A pseudo‐phase ion exchange (PIE) model has been applied to explain the micellar effect. The Piszkiewicz cooperative model has been applied to determine the kinetic parameters, and it indicates the existence of catalytically productive submicellar aggregates. Because of this reactant‐promoted micellization of the surfactant before or below the cmc value, the present systems do not show any discontinuity at the respective reported cmc values of the surfactants. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 173–181, 2001     

Micellar Effect on the Reaction of Chromium(VI) Oxidation of L‐Sorbose in the Presence and Absence of Picolinic Acid in Aqueous Acid Media: A Kinetic Study

The kinetics and mechanism of chromic acid oxidation of L‐sorbose in the presence and absence of picolinic acid (PA) have been studied under the conditions, [L‐sorbose]_T » [PA]_T » [Cr(VI)]_T, at different temperatures. In the absence of PA, the monomeric chromic acid undergoes esterification with the substrate followed by the acid catalysed redox decomposition of the Cr(VI)‐substrate ester through glycol splitting to formaldehyde and the lactone of C₅‐aldonic acid and Cr(IV) which subsequently participates in the faster reactions. In the presence of PA, the Cr(VI)‐PA complex produced in a pre‐equilibrium step experiences a nucleophilic attack by the substrate to produce a ternary complex which decomposes through glycol splitting giving rise to the organic products and Cr(IV)‐PA complex. Both the uncatalysed and PA‐catalysed paths show the first‐order dependence on [L‐sorbose]_T and [Cr(VI)]_T. The PA‐catalysed path is first‐order in [PA]_T and it shows a fractional order in [H⁺]. The uncatalysed path shows a second‐order dependence on [H⁺]. In the presence of the surfactants like N‐cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC, a cationic surfactant) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, an anionic sulfate), the reaction orders remain unchanged. CPC has been found to inhibit both the uncatalysed and PA‐catalysed paths while SDS shows the rate accelerating effect for both the uncatalysed and PA‐catalysed paths. The observed micellar effects have been rationalised by considering the distribution of the reactants between the micellar and aqueous phases in terms of the proposed reaction mechanism.     

稀土元素及其显色效应的研究 VI:镧-偶氮氯膦III——-钇混合多核配合物的生成

The interference of lanthanum in the spectrophotometric determination of yttrium in the form of β-type complex with chlorophosphonazo III (CPA III) is proved to be a cocoloration effect. It is due to the formation of a mixed polynuclear complex between CPA III and lanthahum-yttrium with a cyclic structure. The composition of the complex has been established to be La:CPA III:Y = 1:2:1 by the method of molar ratio. The optimal conditions for the formation of polynuclear complex and influence factors have also been studied. A "replacement type" reaction is proposed to account for the cocoloration effect.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the picolinic acid catalysed chromium(VI) oxidation of ethane-1,2-diol in the presence and absence of surfactants

The kinetics and mechanism of the Cr^VI oxidation of ethane-1,2-diol in the presence and absence of picolinic acid (PA) in aqueous acid media have been carried out under the conditions: [ethane-1,2-diol]_T [Cr^VI]_T and [PA]_T [Cr^VI]_T at different temperatures. The micellar effect on the title reactions has been studied in order to substantiate the suggested mechanism. Under the experimental conditions, ethane-1,2-diol is predominantly oxidised to hydroxyethanal and the kinetic contribution from the glycol splitting path is negligible. In the absence of PA, the simple alcohol oxidation mechanism, involving one —OH group, operates. In the PA-catalysed path, a Cr^VI–PA cyclic complex has been proposed as the active oxidant. In the PA-catalysed path, the Cr^VI–PA complex is the subject of nucleophilic attack by the substrate to form a ternary complex which subsequently experiences a redox decomposition (through 2e transfer) leading to hydroxyethanal and the Cr^IV–PA complex. The Cr^IV–PA complex then participates further in the oxidation of organic substrate and ultimately is converted into the inert Cr^III–PA complex. It is striking to note that the uncatalysed path shows a second-order dependence on [H⁺], while the PA-catalysed path shows a zeroth-order dependence on [H⁺]. Both the uncatalysed and PA-catalysed paths show first-order dependence on [ethane-1,2-diol]_T and on [Cr^VI]_T. The PA-catalysed path is first-order in [PA]_T. All these observations (i.e. dependence patterns on the reactants) remain unaltered in the presence of externally added surfactants. The effect of the cationic surfactant (i.e. cetylpyridinium chloride, CPC) and anionic surfactant (i.e. sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) has been studied both in the presence and absence of PA. CPC acts as an inhibitor and restricts the reaction to aqueous phase, while SDS acts as a catalyst and the reactions proceed simultaneously in both aqueous and micellar phase, with an enhanced rate in the micellar phase. The observed micellar effects have been explained by considering the preferential partitioning of the reactants between the micellar and aqueous phase. The applicability of different kinetic models, e.g. the Menger–Portnoy model, Piszkiewicz cooperative model, pseudo-phase ion exchange (PIE) model, has been tested to explain the observed micellar effects.