Solubilization of phenol and benzyl alcohol by cationic and anionic surfactant micelles

The solubilization of phenol and benzyl alcohol by the micelles of a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and an anionic surfactant, lithium dodecyl sulfate (LDS), was studied as a function of surfactant concentration. The critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of the two surfactants in the presence of small amounts of these additives were determined by a conductivity method at 25 degrees C. The micelle-water partition coefficient, K-x, and the standard free energy change of transfer, Delta G(p)(o) of each additive from water to micelles were also calculated. K-x and Delta G(p)(o) of phenol and benzyl alcohols between bulk water and CTAB micelles were also determined by a differential spectroscopic method at 25 degrees C.