Dicationic surfactant based catalytic systems for alkaline hydrolysis of phosphonic acid esters

Use of aqueous micellar solutions of dicationic surfactants with the general formula [R(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₆N(CH₃)₂R]²⁺2Br⁻ (R = n-C₁₀H₂₁ to n-C₁₆H₃₃) as the reaction medium for the alkaline hydrolysis of phosphonic acid esters has revealed a strong catalytic effect of the surfactants, which can increase the reaction rate by two orders of magnitude. This effect depends on the surfactant structure, shows itself at low surfactant concentrations, and is substrate-specific. The effect of the micelles on the phosphonate hydrolysis rate is largely determined by the hydrophobicity factor.