micellar catalysis

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03885
The
acceleration
of a
chemical reaction
in solution by the addition of a surfactant at a concentration higher than its
critical micelle concentration
so that the reaction can proceed in the environment of surfactant aggregates (
micelles
). (Rate enhancements may be due, for example, to higher concentration of the reactants in that environment, more favourable orientation and
solvation
of the species, or enhanced rate constants in the micellar pseudophase of the surfactant aggregate.)
Micelle
formation can also lead to a decreased reaction rate.
See also:
catalyst
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1140 [Terms] [Paper]