SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF A NOVEL RUTHENOCENE SURFACTANT

A ruthenocene-based surfactant (RcC12) has been synthesized. Its criti cal micelle concentration (CMC) and electrochemical behaviour have bee n investigated and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy has been used to estimate the shape and size of the novel metallo-micelles. Th e CMC of RcC12 was 0.4 mM in aqueous 0.1 M NaCl solution and micelles of a diameter between 5 and 10 nm were observed under the microscope. RcC12 underwent irreversible oxidation leading to the formation of a n ew electroactive species. RcC12 micelles incorporated water-insoluble compounds and made electrochemical investigations of those compounds p ossible in aqueous solution. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.