Micellar‐accelerated hydrolysis of organophosphate and thiophosphates by pyridine oximate

Rate constants for the hydrolysis reaction of phosphate (paraoxon) and thiophosphate (parathion, fenitrothion) esters by oximate (pyridinealdoxime 2‐PyOx^? and 4‐PyOx^?) and its functionalized pyridinium surfactants 4‐(hydroxyimino) methyl)‐1‐alkylpyridinium bromide ions (alkyl = C_nH_2n+1, n = 10, 12, 14, 16) have been measured kinetically at pH 9.5 and 27°C in micellar media of cationic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB). Acid dissociation constant, pK_a, of oximes has also been determined by spectrophotometric, kinetic, and potentiometric methods. The rate acceleration effects of cationic micelles have been explored. Cationic micelles of the pyridinium head group (CPB) showed a large catalytic effect than the ammonium head group (CTAB). The effects of pH, oximate concentration, and surfactants have been discussed.