Catalytic destruction of malathion by metallornicelle layers

Two micellized Cu(II) and Fe(III) ion complexes were synthesized and found to possess good catalytic activity in the cleavage of the malathion/cupric (ferric) complex thionate ester. The complexes form metallomicelles, which bind the substrate by coordinating with the thionate sulfur in the malathion (which is chemically similar to the nerve agent satin). Possible reasons for the rate acceleration include enhanced electrophilicity of the micellized metals, enhanced surface activity, and the recognized ability of cationic micelles to accelerate the cleavage of the thionate ester. The results of kinetic data (half-life times) for malathion degradation were 13.7 and 8.3 min in the presence of Cu(II) and Fe(III) metallomicelle layers, respectively.