Solubility of esters of p-methoxycinnamic acid in surfactant solutions

The solubility of esters of p-methoxycinnamic acid in surfactant solutions is related to micellization. The present study was undertaken to obtain qualitative and quantitative results of the solubilization of dodecyl, tetradecyl and hexadecyl p-methoxycinnamates in aqueous surfactant solutions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl-2EO-sulfate and sodium dodecyl-3EO-sulfate were used for the solubilization studies at 60$\sp\circ$C. The dodecyl ester of p-methoxycinnamic acid was found to be the most soluble in all surfactant solutions. It showed a wavelength of maximum absorbance of 308 nm, 310 nm and 298 nm in sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl-2EO-sulfate and sodium dodecyl-3EO-sulfate respectively. The wavelength of maximum absorbance of hexadecyl ester in sodium dodecyl-3EO-sulfate was 290 nm (as in hexane) and it had a very low solubility in that surfactant.