Study of Methionine and Cumene Hydroperoxide Reaction Kinetics in the Presence of Nonionic Surfactant

Abstract

Abstract The kinetics of the reaction methionine+cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of nonionic surfactant was studied both in the pre-micellar and post-micellar regions at different temperatures by iodometry. It was established that the rate of the methionine + cumene hydroperoxide reaction depends on the molecular/ionic/micellar form of surfactant in the reaction system. In the post-micellar region the rate of methionine+cumene hydroperoxide reaction slows down due to solubilization of the reacting substances in the micelles. Quantification of solubilization of cumene hydroperoxide and methionine in the micelles has been studied by HPLC analysis. It was obtained that about 30% of cumene hydroperoxide, which is more hydrophobic than methionine, is solubilized in the micelles, as a result the concentration of cumene hydroperoxide in the reaction environment decreases and the rate of reaction in the post-micellar region also decreases. Based on the kinetic studies the reaction rate constant was determined and the value of activation energy was obtained.