Activation of hydrogen peroxide by the nitrate anion in micellar media

Abstract

We present the activation of hydrogen peroxide by micellar imidazolium nitrates via H-bond formation in water, as shown by vibrational spectroscopy and supported by DFT calculations. Mechanistic insight into the interactions of the surfactant cation, the nitrate anion and H₂O₂ is given. The micelles solubilise and epoxidise cyclooctene in the aqueous phase.