Rediscovery of an Old Named Reaction: From Micellar Catalysis to Unusual Schotten-Baumann Conditions

A mixture of lecithin and Tween 80 as surfactants proved to be effective for amide bond formation between acyl chlorides and amines in an aqueous solution. This approach, commonly termed micellar catalysis, is hypothesized to be a greener and more efficient alternative to conventional methods. However, through empirical analysis, we discovered that the expected advantages of micellar catalysis were unfounded, leading us to reevaluate its efficacy. Contrary to our initial beliefs, unusual Schotten-Baumann conditions proved to be superior in both efficiency and practicality. This shift in understanding not only challenges the current enthusiasm for micellar catalysis but also reaffirms the value of established methodologies, emphasizing the necessity of critical scrutiny in the advancement of sustainable chemistry.