Cyclodextrin-surfactant mixed systems as reaction media

Abstract

In recent years our reseach group has investigated the chemical behaviour of bcyclodextrin (CD)/surfactant mixed systems and their characteristics as reaction media. The results have been interpreted in terms of a pseudophase model that takes into account the formation of both CD- surfactant and CD- substrate complexes and also, in some cases, the exchange of X- and OH- ions between the micellar and aqueous pseudophases. From the experimental results it was concluded that the presence of CD has no effect on existing micelles but raises the critical micellar concentration (cmc). On the other hand, at surfactant concentrations above the cmc, competition between the micellisation and complexation processes leads to the existence of a significant concentration of free CD in equilibrium with the micellar aggregates. The percentage of uncomplexed β-CD in equilibrium with the micellar system increases on increasing the hydrophobicity of the surfactant molecule. This behaviour was justified taking into account the existence of two simultaneous processes: complexation of surfactant monomers by CD and the process of self-assembly to form micellar aggregates. The autoaggregation of surfactant monomers is more important than the complexation process in this mixed system. Varying the hydrophobicity of the surfactant monomer enabled us to determine that the percentages of uncomplexed CD in equilibrium with the micellar system were in the range of 5 - 95%. When the surfactant self-assembly structure is a vesicle, the free CD in the CD/surfactant mixed system yields a percentage of 100%. © Science Reviews 2000 Ltd.