AMINO-ACIDS IN AOT REVERSED MICELLES .1. DETERMINATION OF INTERFACIAL PARTITION-COEFFICIENTS USING THE PHASE-TRANSFER METHOD

The solubilization of amino acids in AOT reversed micelles using the phase-equilibrium method is analyzed in terms of a simple solubilization model allowing the partition coefficients of amino acids between water and the reversed micellar interfaces to be deduced by using only bulk concentration measurements. The partition coefficient is mostly influenced by those factors that affect the interfacial properties (surface pressure and bending moment) of the microemulsion droplets, namely, the organic solvent used and the type and concentration of cations in the system. Amino acids are squeezed out from the interface as its rigidity increases. The general validity and utility of the partition coefficients obtained in this study are discussed. © 1990 American Chemical Society.