Oxidation of 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl polyethylene glycol (TritonX-100) by cerium(IV) in presence of sulfuric acid

Kinetic data for oxidation of non-ionic surfactant TritonX-100 [4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenyl polyethylene glycol,TX-100] by cerium(IV) are reported for the first time. The rate of the oxidation increases with the increase in concentration of TX-100 and hydrogen ions. The reaction is first-order in [cerium(IV)] and [sulfuric acid] at constant temperature. The first-order kinetics with respect to [TX-100] at low concentrations shifts to zero-order at higher concentrations. The spectrophotometric evidence indicates formation of a complex between cerium(IV) and sulfuric acid. Reducing nature of the non-ionic surfactant is found to be due to the presence of primary alcoholic (OH) group in the skeleton. Probable reaction mechanisms have been proposed. Both monomeric and aggregated TX-100 molecules are oxidized by cerium(IV). Oxidation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by cerium(IV) was not observed during the course of reaction.