Hydrolysis Reactions in Aqueous Lamellar Liquid Crystalline Media

Abstract

Introduction of a quarternary ammonium head group into aqueous dodecylammonium chloride solutions gives an optically clear lamellar mesophase. Inhibition in the rate of hydrolysis of benzylidene t-butylamine N-oxide is greater in the lamellar phase of the mixed amphiphile system than in a similar phase containing only dodecylammonium head groups. This suggests maximum inhibition of the reaction may not be due to electrostatic effects but to partitioning of the substrate into the less compact hydrocarbon regions.