Micellar effects upon the basic hydrolysis of 2,7-bis(diethylamino)phenazoxonium chloride

The effect of cationic and anionic surfactants on the reaction of Basic Blue 3 (2,7-bis(diethylamino)phenazoxonium chloride, 1) with hydroxide ion has been studied. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), cetyl and tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC and MTAC) enhance the rate of basic hydrolysis whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has an inhibitory effect. The extent of micellar catalysis is reduced by the addition of organic solvents. The results have been analyzed on the basis of the pseudophase ion-exchange model 1–3].