SELF-INDICATING SURFACTANTS - POTENTIALLY MICELLAR SOLVATOCHROMIC IRON(II) COMPLEXES

The preparation of ternary iron(II) complexes [Fe(CN)2(LL)2] and [Fe(C N)4(LL)]2-, where LL = a Schiff base derived from 2-acetyl pyridine an d a long chain amine 1-Me(CH2)nNH2(n = 11, 15, 17), is described. Thes e complexes exhibit strong solvatochromism and can thus be used to pro be solvation in organised aqueous media, as in ternary vater - Aerosol OT - hexanol mixtures. They also have a dramatic effect on the micell isation behaviour of the uncharged surfactant Triton X-100.