Studies of ninhydrin and phenylalanine in cationic dimeric gemini micellar system: Spectrophotometric and conductometric measurements

Present work deals with studies of ninhydrin (N) and phenylalanine (Phe) in cationic gemini micellar system by spectrophotometer under diverge kinetic environments. The results of the current study follow fractional-order in N and first-order in Phe. The study is intensely catalyzed by gemini surfactant (GS) system and rate constants (kψ) are enriched even though at [GS] lower than critical micelle concentration (cmc). The noticed enhancement in rates between reactant molecules and gemini is attributed to hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. To interpret the influence of various [GS], ranging from (1–3000) x 10−5 mol dm−3, on kψ, a model so-called pseudo-phase originally proposed by Berezin et al. and improved by Bunton was applied. Various parameters and constants (like binding constants, thermodynamic parameters and micellar rate constants) have been evaluated. Under the present kinetic condition, a probable reaction mechanism between N and Phe is recommended. The conductivities of pure gemini and the presence of reactants at two temperatures, i.e., at 303 K and 343 K were measured using a conductivity instrument. The cmc of pure geminis in the current case determined at 303 K is consistent with those data reported, earlier. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.