Reaction of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene with hydroxide ion in cationic and nonionic - Microemulsion systems

The hydroxylation of trinitrobenzene was investigated using KOH solution in microemulsion system which contained either cationic or nonionic surfactants. The reaction was studied in different conditions; temperature, surfactant and alkali concentrations using stopped-flow spectrofluorimeter. The rate of reaction in cationic surfactant was 100 times more than in nonionic one. The energies of activation were about 142.40 and 41.40 kJ mol(-1) for reaction in cationic and nonionic surfactant respectively. The difference in rate of reaction and energy of activation may be attributed to the differences in the electrostatic attraction force exerted between the surfactants and OH-.