Utilization of Organized Surfactant Assemblies as Solvents in Flow Injection Analysis with emphasis to Automated Derivatization of Organic Analytes

Flow Injection analysis (FIA) has been established as a useful tool for the automation of chemical analysis. In principle, analytes are injected as a discrete zone into a flowing stream followed by physical/chemical processing that is governed by the dispersion mechanism. The products/complexes/ derivatives or detectable species are measured in a continuous mode. However, in many instances the reactions products need to be extracted into organic solvents or vice versa or signals from complexes do not satisfy the required sensitivity or selectivity. An interesting and viable alternative is to use micellar solutions that are aggregated structures of surfactant molecules. Many reports are found in the literature utilizing micellar solutions in flow injection analysis for the determination of organic analytes through derivatization. Spectrophotometry and luminescence spectroscopy are major techniques employed as detection systems. Sensitivity, selectivity, simplicity and high sample throughput in green working environment is evidenced from the literature. Emerging trends and future potentials of micellar solutions in conjunction with FIA are reviewed. Solvolysis chemistry of micellar solutions and interaction mechanisms are also discussed.