Reactivity in aqueous association colloids. Descriptive utility of the pseudophase model

The ability of aqueous micelles and similar association colloids to control reaction rates is treated in terms of pseudophase models in which micelles and water are regarded as distinct reaction media, with consideration of reactant concentrations and rate constants in the two regions. An alternative model, based on transition state theory, considers the transfer free energy of the activated complex between water and micelles. Both models fit data for reactions in solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, for example. Their values in relating rate effects to reaction mechanism and structures of reactants and surfactants are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.