Surface phenomenon in micellar media: An excellent controlling factor for oxidation of fatty aldehyde in aqueous medium

Oxidation of long chain aldehydes is truly tough in aqueous medium. So, an attempt has been made to oxidise octanal, a fatty aldehyde, by Cr(VI) in acidic aqueous media with the assistance of surfactants. The detailed kinetics of this successful micellar oxidation reaction has been studied spectrophotometrically under pseudo1st order condition at 25 °C (±0.1 °C). In promoting the oxidation reaction three hetero-aromatic bases i.e. 1, 10 – phenanthroline (Phen), 2-picolonic acid (PA) and 2, 2′ – bipyridine (Bpy) have been used in combination with the surfactants. Mixture of SDS and Bpy has come out to be the most effective among the others to enhance the oxidation rate maximum. Necessary spectral analysis and thermodynamic facts have also been produced in support of the whole process.