Determination of pKa of N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxides using 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy

The pKa values of N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxides were determined from the pH dependences of chemical shifts in 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra. The dependences were measured at concentrations below and above the critical micelle concentration of the amine oxides. Above the critical micelle concentration, the plots of the peak positions vs. pH were either sigmoid (the groups close to the nitrogen) or “peak type” (farther groups). The sigmoidal behaviour was a direct result of the acid-base reaction; on the other hand, the “peak type” behaviour was probably an indirect consequence of the pH variation, mediated with the change in micelle size.