Redox Control of the Solubilization of Benzene with a Ferrocene-Modified Nonionic Surfactant

Benzene was solubilized in aqueous micellar solutions of a redox-active nonionic surfactant (11-ferrocenylundecyl polyoxyethylene ether : FPEG) and the effect of the redox reactions on the solubilization is studied. The solubilization equilibrium constant (K) of benzene in FPEG micelles, which represents the distribution of solubilizates between micelle and bulk solution, was found to decrease with the oxidation of ferrocenyl moieties of FPEG molecules, but to increase with reduction in ferrocenyl moieties. Active and reversible control of solubilization is thus shown possible through application of the redox reactions of FPEG micellar solution.