LIGHT‐DRIVEN REDOX PROCESSES IN FUNCTIONAL MICELLAR UNITS—III. Zn‐TETRAPHENYLPORPHYRIN SENSITIZED REACTIONS IN METHYL VIOLOGENE SURFACTANT ASSEMBLIES

Abstract

Abstract— The photoreduction of methyl viologene by ZnTPP triplet excited states was studied in mixed micelles containing the functional surfactant JV‐dodecyl, N ‐methyl viologene (C 12 MV 2+ ) as one and Cetyltrimethylammoniumchloride (CTAC) as the other component. Using the laser photolysis technique the kinetics of the redox reaction were studied at various CTAC/C 12 MV 2+ ratios. The average time for the electron transfer decreases linearly with the C 12 MV 2+ occupancy. The back transfer from C 12 MV 2+ to ZnTPP 2+ can be intercepted if a donor such as NADH is cosolubilized in the micelle. In such a system irreversible methyl viologene reduction is achieved which in the presence of a suitable redox catalyst can be used to produce hydrogen from water.