title: Photochemistry in everyday life: the effect of spontaneous emulsification on the photochemistry of trans-anethole.
abstract: The photochemical behaviour of spontaneously formed microemulsions obtained upon dilution of ethanolic solutions of trans-anethole (E-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propene, t-A) with water is compared to that of homogeneous ethanolic t-A solutions. Significant differences in reactivity reflect the confined nature of the aggregated t-A which leads to reduced yields of isomerization and dimerization products. In contrast to homogeneous solutions, where a photostationary state enriched in the Z-isomer (c-A) is rapidly reached, the proportion of c-A formed upon irradiation of t-A microemulsions remains below 15%. In the presence of oxygen the formation of trans-anethole oxide is observed which, when formed in non-homogeneous environments, undergoes polymerization.
authors.affiliation: ISM/CNRS UMR 5255, Université Bordeaux 1, F-33405, Talence, France.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carteau
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brunerie
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guillemat
authors.forename: Dario M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bassani
mesh_terms: D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000840:Anisoles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010777:Photochemistry; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000840:Anisoles; D004655:Emulsions; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol; C006578:anethole