Effect of surfactants on the degradation of cumene hydroperoxide

A phenomenological study was conducted on the degradation of cumene hydrope roxide (CHP) at 80 and 90 degreesC in a chlorobenzene solution in the prese nce of different surfactants under oxygen-free conditions. The cationic sur factant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) accelerates the CHP degradati on to free radicals. The anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) ca talyzes the heterolytic decomposition of CHP yielding phenol and a-methylst yrene. Tile decomposition rate increases in the course of the reaction. Ani onic sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) having the branched hydro carbon moiety and hindered polar groups virtually does not affect the degra dation of cumene hydroperoxide.