| Abstract: | A novel lipopathic oxidizing agent, cetyltrimethylammonium dichromate, was used for oxidation of benzyl alcohol in various organic solvents and in surfactant systems. The reaction kinetics was investigated with change in [acid], [substrate], [oxidant], [surfactant], and temperature. The rate constant values led to propose that the reaction occurs in a reversed micellar system produced by the oxidant, akin to an enzymatic environment. The rate variation with variation in [surfactant] and solvent isotope effect suggest that the path of reaction to be through the formation of an ester complex, the decomposition of which is the rate‐determining step. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 651–656, 2006 |
