Capillary electrophoresis was used to follow the decrease in concentration
of tetradecanedisulfate as a function of time during its hydrolysis in 0.5
M sulfuric acid solution at 60, 75, and 90 degrees C. The hydrolyses were m
ostly carried out at premicellar concentrations of surfactant, from I to 7.
5 mM. Large increases of rate occurred at higher concentrations (at least 1
5 mM). The reaction was found to be first order in tetradecanedisulfate. Th
e activation energy and entropy of activation were calculated to be 97 kJ m
ol(-1) and -55 J K-1 mol(-1), respectively.