Kinetic evidence for the occurrence of kinetically detectable intermediates in the cleavage of N‐ethoxycarbonylphthalimide under N‐methylhydroxylamine buffers

The kinetics of the aqueous cleavage of N‐ethoxycarbonylphthalimide (NCPH) in CH₃NHOH buffers of different pH reveals that the cleavage follows the general irreversible consecutive reaction path NCPH ENMBC A B , where ENMBC, A , and B represent ethyl N‐[o‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxycarbamoyl)benzoyl]carbamate, N‐hydroxyl group cyclized product of ENMBC, and o ‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxycarbamoyl)benzoic acid, respectively. The rate constant k_{1 obs} at a constant pH, obeys the relationship k_{1 obs} = k_w + k_n^app [Am]_T + k_b[Am]_T², where [Am]_T is the total concentration of CH₃NHOH buffer and k_w is first‐order rate constant for pH‐independent hydrolysis of NCPH. Buffer‐dependent rate constant k_b shows the presence of both general base and general acid catalysis. Both the rate constants k_{2 obs} and k_{3 obs} are independent of [Am]_T (within the [Am]_T range of present study) at a constant pH and increase linearly with the increase in a_OH with definite intercepts. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 95–103, 2002     

The α‐effect in micelles: Nucleophilic substitution reaction of p‐nitrophenyl acetate with N‐phenylbenzohydroxamate ion

Pseudo‐first‐order rate constants have been determined for the nucleophilic substitution reactions of p‐nitrophenyl acetate with p‐chlorophenoxide (4‐ClC₆H₄O^?) and N‐phenylbenzohydroxamate (C₆H₅CON(C₆H₅)O^?) ions in phosphate buffer (pH 7.7) at 27°C. The effect of cationic, (CTAB, TTAB, DTAB), anionic (SDS), and nonionic (Brij‐35) surfactants has been studied. The k_obs value increases upon addition of CTAB and TTAB. The effect of DTAB and other surfactants on the reaction is not very significant. The micellar catalysis and α‐effect shown by hydroxamate ion have been explained. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 26–31, 2006     

Kinetics and mechanism of tertiary amine‐catalyzed cleavage of N′‐morpholino‐N‐(2′‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamide: Kinetic evidence for the presence of a reactive intermediate on the reaction path

Pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obs) for tertiary amine (DABCO and Me₃N) buffer‐catalyzed cyclization of N′‐morpholino‐N‐(2′‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamide ( 1 ) to N‐(2′‐methoxyphenyl)phthalimide ( 2 ) reveal saturation (nonlinear) plots of k_obs versus [Buf]_T (total tertiary amine buffer concentration) at a constant pH. Such plots at different pH have been attributed to the presence of a reactive intermediate (T^?) formed by tertiary amine buffer‐catalyzed intramolecular nucleophilic addition of the secondary amide nitrogen to the carbonyl carbon of the tertiary amide group of 1 . © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 263–272, 2010     

Intramolecular carboxylic group‐assisted cleavage of N‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)phthalamic acid (7) and N‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamic acid (8): Absence of intramolecular general acid catalysis due to 2‐OH in 7

The values of pseudo first‐order rate constants (k_obs) for the cleavage of N‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)phthalamic acid ( 7 ), obtained at 4.9 × 10^?2 M HCl, 35°C, and within CH₃CN content range 2–80% (v/v) in mixed aqueous solvent are smaller than k_obs for the cleavage of N‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)phthalamic acid ( 8 ), obtained under almost similar experimental conditions, by nearly 1.5‐ to 2‐fold. These observations show the absence of expected intramolecular general acid catalysis due to 2‐OH group in 7 . The values of k_obs for the cleavage of 7 and 8 decrease by more than 20‐fold with the increase in the content of CH₃CN from 2 to 80–82% (v/v) in mixed aqueous solvent. The kinetic data reveal that in acidic aqueous cleavage of 7 , N‐cyclization (leading to the formation of imide) and O‐cyclization (leading to the formation of phthalic anhydride) vary from ～10 to 15% and ～90 to 85%, respectively, with the increase in CH₃CN content from 2 to 80% (v/v). Similar increase in CH₃CN content causes increase in N‐cyclization from ～0 to 5% and decrease in O‐cyclization from ～100 to 95% in the acidic aqueous cleavage of 8 . Some speculative, yet conceivable, reasons for nearly 10 and 0% N‐cyclization in the cleavage of respective 7 and 8 at low content of CH₃CN have been described. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 746–758, 2006     

N‐Germyl derivatives of sulfacetamide and ortho‐(sulfonamido)phenylamines: characterization of N‐[o‐(N′,N′‐dimethylsulfonamido)phenyl]‐N‐dimesitylgermaimine

Triethylgermylation of sulfacetamide occurs on the sulfonamido nitrogen in competition with the 1,2 addition of the starting triethylgermyl dimethylamine on the carbonyl group. Thermal decomposition in the presence of dimethylamine yields N‐triethylgermylsulfanilamide. Stable 1:1 sulfacetamide–DBU and 1:1 sulfacetamide–Et₃N complexes were isolated and fully characterized in the course of dehydrochlorination reactions. o‐Sulfonamidophenylamine yields N,N′‐bis‐triethylgermylated derivatives, whereas o‐(N,N‐dimethylsulfonamido)phenylamine leads to monogermylated compounds. The N‐dimethylaminodimesitylgermyl derivative is thermally stable. Dehydrohalogenation of the N‐dimesitylfluorogermyl compound leads to the thermally stable but water sensitive N‐[o‐(N′,N′‐dimethylsulfonamido)phenyl]‐N‐dimesitylgermaimine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetic Study of the Alkaline Hydrolysis of 1,n‐Bis(4‐cyanopyridinium)alkanes: Charge Density and New Conformational Effects on the Reactivity of 1,3‐Bis(4‐cyanopyridinium)propane

The alkaline hydrolysis reaction rates of 1,n‐bis(4‐cyanopyridinium)alkane derivatives C_nbis(CP)²⁺ with n = 3, 6, and 8 were studied and compared to the reaction rate of the N‐methyl‐4‐cyanopyridinium (MCP⁺). C₆bis(CP)²⁺ and C₈bis(CP)²⁺ obeyed the first‐order kinetic law. However for C₃bis(CP)²⁺ data fitted to a consecutive two‐step model reaction, the observed rate constants (k_obs) of C₈bis(CP)²⁺ and C₆bis(CP)²⁺ are approximately 50% and 100%, respectively, higher than those for MCP⁺, an effect mainly assigned to the higher charge density of these two derivatives. For C₃bis(CP)²⁺, the k_obs of the second (slow) step is almost twofold the value observed for C₆bis(CP)²⁺, whereas the first (fast) step is approximately six times higher. As for MCP, the hydrolysis of C_nbis(CP)²⁺ generates pyridone (P^o) and carbamidopyridinium (A⁺) units. For C₃bis(CP)²⁺, however at pHs above 11.5, one additional product is formed. From the existence of the new product and the kinetic evidence, a “sandwiched‐type” complex with the OH^? inserted between the rings is proposed. This structural effect in the C₃bis(CP)²⁺ due to the conformational effect justifies the (i) two kinetic steps, (ii) high rate constants, (iii) high P^o/A⁺ ratios, (iv) observed temperature and salt effects, and (v) the formation of the new product.     

Kinetic study on acid‐base catalyzed hydrolysis of azimsulfuron,a sulfonylurea herbicide

Pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obs) for hydrolysis of a sulfonylurea herbicide, azimsulfuron, AZIM®, {N‐[[(4,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐pyrimidinyl)amino]carbony]‐1‐methyl‐4‐(2‐methyl‐2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐5‐sulfonamide} (AZS) follow an empirical relationship: k_obs =α₁ + α₂[⁻OH] + α₃[⁻OH]² within the [NaOH] range of 0.1–2.0 M at different temperatures ranging from 40 to 55°C. The contribution of α₃[⁻OH]² term is small compared with α₂[⁻OH] term and this turns out to be zero at 60°C. Pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obs) for hydrolysis of AZS within the [H⁺] range from 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.4 M follow the relationship: k_obs = (α₁K _a + B₁[H⁺] + B₂[H⁺]²)/([H⁺] + K_a) where pK_a = 4.37 at 50°C. The value of B₁ is nearly 25 times larger than that of α₁. The rate of alkaline hydrolysis of AZIM is weakly sensitive to ionic strength. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Int J Chem Kinet 31: 253–260, 1999     

Phenolysis and aminolysis of 4‐nitrophenyl and 2,4‐dinitrophenyl S‐methyl thiocarbonates in aqueous ethanol

The reactions of S‐methyl O‐(4‐nitrophenyl) thiocarbonate ( 1 ) and S‐methyl O‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl) thiocarbonate ( 2 ) with a series of secondary alicyclic (SA) amines and phenols are subjected to a kinetic investigation. Under nucleophile excess, pseudo‐first‐order rate coefficients (k_obs) are obtained. Plots of k_obs against the free nucleophile concentration at constant pH are linear with slopes k_N. The Brønsted plots (log k_N vs. nucleophile pK_a) for the reactions are linear with slope (β) values in the 0.5–0.7 range, in accordance with concerted mechanisms. Comparison of the SA aminolysis of 1 with the same one carried out in water shows that the change of solvent from water to aqueous ethanol destabilizes the zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate, changing the mechanism from stepwise to concerted. This destabilization is greater than that due to the change from SA amines to quinuclidines. For the phenolysis reactions, the k_N values in aqueous ethanol are smaller than those for the same reactions in water. Considering that the nucleophile is an anion, this result is unexpected because the anion should be more stabilized in the more polar solvent. This result is explained by the facts that the phenoxide reactant has a negative charge that is delocalized in the aromatic ring and the transition state is highly polar. © 2011 Wiley Peiodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 353–358, 2011     

Kinetic evidence for the occurrence of general acid-base catalysis in N-methylhydroxylaminolysis of N-ethoxycarbonylphthalimide (NCPH)

Pseudo-first-order rate constants (k_{1 obs}) for the reaction of MeNHOH with NCPH obey the relationship: k_{1 obs}=k^′_b[MeNHOH]_T² where [MeNHOH]_T represents total concentration of N-methylhydroxylamine buffer. The rate constants, k_{1 obs} obtained at different total concentration of acetate buffer ([Buf]_T) in the presence of 0.004 mol dm⁻³ MeNHOH follow the relationship: k_{1 obs}=k_b[Buf]_T. The values of acetate buffer-catalyzed rate constant (k_b) at different pH reveal the occurrence of both general base- and general acid- or general base-specific acid-catalysis in the reaction of MeNHOH with NCPH. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 647–654, 1997.     

Decomposition of model alkoxyamines in simple and polymerizing systems. II. Diastereomeric N‐(2‐methylpropyl)‐N‐(1‐diethyl‐phosphono‐2,2‐dimethyl‐propyl)‐aminoxyl‐based compounds

Thermal reactions of the alkoxyamine diastereomers DEPN‐R′ [DEPN: N‐(2‐methylpropyl)‐N‐(1‐diethylphosphophono‐2,2‐dimethyl‐propyl)‐aminoxyl; R′: methoxy‐carbonylethyl and phenylethyl] with (R,R) + (S,S) and (R,S) + (S,R) configurations have been investigated by ¹H NMR at 100 °C. During the overall decay the diastereomers interconvert, and an analytical treatment of the combined processes is presented. Rate constants are obtained for the cleavage and reformation of DEPN‐R′ from NMR, electron spin resonance, and chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization experiments also using 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) as a radical scavenger. The rate constants depend on the diastereomer configuration and the residues R′. Simulations of the kinetics observed with styrene and methyl methacrylate containing solutions yielded rate constants for unimeric and polymeric alkoxyamines DEPN‐(M)_n‐R′. The results were compatible with the known DEPN mediation of living styrene and acrylate polymerizations. For methyl methacrylate the equilibrium constant of the reversible cleavage of the dormant chains DEPN‐(M)_n‐R′ is very large and renders successful living polymerizations unlikely. Mechanistic and kinetic differences of DEPN‐ and TEMPO‐mediated polymerizations are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3264–3283, 2002     

One‐step,two‐electron oxidation of cis‐diaquabis(1,10‐phenanthroline)chromium(III) to cis‐dioxobis(1,10‐phenanthroline)chromium(V) by periodate in aqueous acidic solutions

The kinetics of oxidation of cis‐[Cr^III(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]³⁺ (phen = 1,10‐phenanthro‐ line) by IO₄^? has been studied in aqueous acidic solutions. In the presence of a vast excess of [IO₄^?], the reaction is first order in the chromium(III) complex concentration. The pseudo‐first‐order rate constant, k_obs, showed a very small change with increasing [IO₄^?]. The dependence of k_obs on [IO₄^?] is consistent with Eq. (i). (i) The pseudo‐first‐order rate constant, k_obs, increased with increasing pH, indicating that the hydroxo form of the chromium(III) complex is the reactive species. An inner‐sphere mechanism has been proposed for the oxidation process. The thermodynamic activation parameters of the processes involved are also reported. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 563–568, 2011     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction between an Arenediazonium Ion and Methyl Gallate (=Methyl 3,4,5‐Trihydroxybenzoate) in Aqueous Solution: Evidence for Diazo Ether Formation through an O‐Coupling Reaction

We have investigated the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between 3‐methylbenzenediazonium ions (3MBD) and methyl gallate (=methyl 3,4,5‐trihydroxybenzoate; MG), in aqueous buffer solution by employing spectrophotometric (UV/VIS) and electrochemical (linear‐sweep voltammetry, LSV) techniques and computational methods. Because the absorption band of MG overlaps that of 3MBD, the reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the changes in absorbance with time due to product formation, and biphasic kinetic profiles, indicative of accumulation of an intermediate in the course of the reaction, were obtained. The formation of an intermediate was confirmed by LSV. The observed rate constants k_obs for 3MBD disappearance were obtained by fitting the decrease in the peak current of the first reduction peak of 3MBD with time to the integrated first‐order equation. The variation of k_obs with [MG] was determined at different pH values and follows a saturation kinetic pattern. Alternatively, at a fixed [MG], k_obs values show an inverse dependence on [H⁺], suggesting that the reactive species is the anion and not the neutral form of MG. To discern which of the three OH groups of MG is the first one undergoing deprotonation, the geometries of the resulting anions were optimized by using B3LYP hybrid density functional theory (DFT) and a 6‐31G(++d,p) basis set. The deprotonation energies suggest that the OH group at the 4‐position is first deprotonated. The kinetic results can be accommodated, therefore, by assuming two competitive mechanisms, the spontaneous D_N+A_N decomposition involving 3MBD, and a mechanism involving an electrophilic attack at the O‐atom at C(4) in a pre‐equilibrium step, leading to the formation of a transient diazo ether of the type Ar? N?N? O? R which further decomposes. All attempts to isolate and characterize the diazo ether failed.     

Kinetics of the reaction of 4,4′‐biphenol with bromoethane and 1‐bromobutane by phase‐transfer catalysis

The reaction of 4,4′‐biphenol and two species of bromoalkanes (e.g., bromoethane and 1‐bromobutane) to synthesize two symmetric products (4,4′‐diethanoxy biphenyl and 4,4′‐dibutanoxy biphenyl) and one asymmetric product (4‐ethanoxy, 4′‐butanoxy biphenyl) was successfully carried out under two‐phase phase‐transfer catalysis conditions. A rational mechanism and kinetic model were built up by considering the reactions both in aqueous phase and in organic phase. The first active catalyst (QO(Ph)₂OQ) was also synthesized under two‐phase reaction and was identified by instruments. The experimental data were explained satisfactorily by the pseudo‐steady‐state hypothesis. Two sets of rate constants of organic reactions, i.e. primary (k₁ and k₂) and secondary (k₁₁, k₁₂, k₂₁, and k₂₂) rate constants participate in the kinetic model. The two primary rate constants were obtained individually via experimental data for synthesizing the symmetric products. The ratios of the other four secondary rate constants were obtained from the reaction of synthesizing asymmetric products and determined from the initial yield rates of symmetric products. The effects of the ratio of bromoethane and 1‐bromobutane, temperature, organic solvents, amount of catalyst, and amount of sodium hydroxide on the reaction rate and the selectivity of products were investigated in detail. The results were explained satisfactorily by the interaction between the reactants and the environmental species. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 139–153, 2003     

Estimation of heterogeneous rate constants of reaction of electrochemically generated o‐benzoquinones with various nucleophiles containing thiol group

The reaction of o‐benzoquinone derived by the oxidation of catechols ( 1a–c ) with some nucleophiles containing thiol group ( 2a–f ) has been studied in various conditions, such as pH, nucleophile concentration, and scan rate, using cyclic voltammetry. In various conditions, based on an EC electrochemical mechanism (“E” represents an electron transfer at the electrode surface and “C” represents a homogeneous chemical reaction), the observed homogeneous rate constants (k_obs) were estimated by comparison of the experimental cyclic voltammetric responses with the digital simulated results for each of the nucleophile. The results show that the magnitude of k_obs is dependent on the nature of the substituted group on the catechol ring and nucleophilicity of nucleophile. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 426–431, 2009     

Estimation of homogeneous rate constants of reaction of electrochemically generated ortho‐benzoquinones with 1,3‐indandione

Electrochemical oxidation of some catechol derivatives has been studied in the presence of 1,3‐indandione as nucleophile in aqueous solution, by means of cyclic voltammetry and controlled‐potential coulometry. The results indicate the participation of electrochemically produced o‐benzoquinones in the Michael reaction with 1,3‐indandione to form the corresponding new catechol derivatives. On the basis of the EC mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constants (k_obs) of reaction of produced o‐benzoquinones with 3‐indandione were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammograms with the digitally simulated results. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 605–613, 2007     

Effects of introduction of α‐carboxylate,N‐methyl,and N‐formyl groups on intramolecular cyclization of o‐quinone amines: Density functional theory‐based study

o‐Quinone amines, which are relevant to various biological processes, can undergo spontaneous intramolecular cyclization (ring closure reaction by amino‐terminated hydrocarbon side chain) that deactivates them toward another possible reactions, that is, thiol binding. Density functional theory‐based calculation is employed for obtaining the potential energy curves along the C? N bond formation in the intramolecular cyclization of various o‐quinone amines, viz., dopaminequinone, dopaquinone, N‐methyl‐dopaminequinone, N‐formyl‐dopaminequinone, and the corresponding methylene‐inserted analogues. The activation barrier is decreased by introduction of α‐carboxylate and N‐methyl group whereas increased by introduction of N‐formyl group. A negative correlation between the activation barriers and the level of highest occupied molecular orbital is pointed out. Furthermore, the methylene‐inserted analogues show decreased activation barriers. This is explained by reduction of steric repulsion in the transition state.     

Effects of mixed H2O‐CH3CN solvents on the rate of hydrazinolysis of N‐phenylphthalimide: Spectral and kinetic evidence for the occurrence of N‐aminophthalimide on the reaction path

Kinetic study on the cleavage of N‐phenylphthalimide (NPhPT) in the presence of 0.05 M NH₂NH₂ and mixed H₂O‐CH₃CN solvents reveals the occurrence of reaction scheme where A, B, C, C₁, An, E, and F represent NPhPT, o‐CO^?₂C₆H₄CONHC₆H₅, o‐CONHNH₂C₆H₄‐ CONHC₆H₅, N‐aminophthalimide, aniline, o‐CO^?₂C₆H₄CONHNH₂, and o‐CONHNH₂C₆H₄‐CONHNH₂, respectively. But, in the presence of either nonbuffered ?0.20 M NH₂NH₂ hydrazine buffer of pH ～7.30–8.26 with total buffer concentration ([Buf]_T) of >0.02 M, further conversion of F to 2,3‐dihydrophthalazine‐1,4‐dione (DHPD) has been detected depending upon the length of the reaction time (t), the values of [Buf]_T, and pH. It has been shown that the rate of conversion of C₁ to F is much faster than that of C to C₁ which is much faster than that of F to DHPD. The reaction step A → C involves general base (GB) catalysis, while step C → C₁ seems to involve specific base–general acid (GA) and GB‐GB catalysis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 147–161, 2005     

Synthesis of a series of SG1 2‐[N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐diethoxyphosphoryl‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)aminoxyl] based alkoxyamines,SG1‐CH(Me)CO2R,and measurement of the homolysis rate constants of the C?ON bond

During nitroxide‐mediated polymerization, the polymerization time decreases with an increasing rate constant of the cleavage of the NO? C bond of dormant alkoxyamines. Thus, knowledge of the factors influencing this cleavage is of considerable interest. We have prepared a series of SG1 2‐[N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐diethoxyphosphoryl‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)aminoxyl] based alkoxyamines [SG1‐CH(Me)CO₂R] with various R groups (alkyl or aryl) and measured the homolysis rate constants (k_d). k_d decreases with the bulkiness and increases with the polarity of the R group. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3504–3515, 2004     

On the Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes: A kinetic study in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid

The formation and the destruction of an intermediate involved in the Beckmann rearrangement of 2,4,6‐trimethylacetophenone oxime have been studied in concentrated trifluoromethanesulfonic acid by kinetic and spectroscopic measurements. Observed (k_obs) and thermodynamic rate constants (k^o) have been estimated and the values compared with the ones obtained in perchloric, sulfuric, and methanesulfonic acids. In the range 80–100 wt% of sulfuric acid, combined analysis of k_obs and k^o rates shows a specific catalysis due to [H₂SO₄] species. In trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, lower rate constants, compared to the values in sulfuric acid, have been observed which differ at 99 wt% by a factor of 10³ ca. The catalytic effect of different strong acids, the structure of the intermediate inferred from Raman and NMR spectra, and the role of the ion‐pairs involved in the reaction are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 417–426, 2004     

Effects of Micellar Aggregates on the Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction between 4‐Nitrobenzenediazonium Ions and Some Amino Acids

We have explored the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between 4‐nitrobenzenediazonium ions (4NBD), and the hydrophilic amino acids (AA) glycine and serine in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar aggregates by means of UV/VIS spectroscopy. The observed rate constants k_obs were obtained by monitoring the disappearance of 4NBD with time at a suitable wavelength under pseudo‐first‐order conditions. In aqueous acid (buffer‐controlled) solution, in the absence of SDS, the dependence of k_obs on [AA] was obtained from the linear relationship found between the experimental rate constant and [AA]. At a fixed amino acid concentration, k_obs values show an inverse dependence on acidity in the range of pH 5–6, suggesting that the reaction takes place through the nonprotonated amino group of the amino acid. All kinetic evidence is consistent with an irreversible bimolecular reaction with k=2390±16 and 376±7 M ^?1 s^?1 for glycine and serine, respectively. Addition of SDS inhibits the reaction because of the micellar‐induced separation of reactants originated by the electrical barrier imposed by the SDS micelles; k_obs values are depressed by factors of 10 (glycine) and 6 (serine) on going from [SDS]=0 up to [SDS]=0.05M . The hypothesis of a micellar‐induced separation of the reactants was confirmed by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, which was employed to investigate the location of 4NBD in the micellar aggregate: the results showed that the aromatic ring of the arenediazonium ion is predominantly located in the vicinity of the C(β) atom of the surfactant chain, and hence the reactive ? N group is located in the Stern layer of the micellar aggregate. The kinetic results can be quantitatively interpreted in terms of the pseudophase kinetic model, allowing estimations of the association constant of 4NBD to the SDS micelles.