The hydrolysis kinetics of two salicylates (n-butyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate) are studied in CTAB surfactant solution by using UV-vis spectroscopy. The rate constants, activitied energies and frequency factors are also obtained. The solubilization positions of salicylate in CTAB micelle are determined by using ^1H NMR. The examined results indicate that n-butyal salicylate is solubilizated predominantly in the palisade layer and the micellar interior core, but phenyl salicylate solubilization is localized in the palisade layer and adsorbed at micelle water 'interface'. For phenyl salicylate molecules, most of which solubilized in the interface, there are more chances for them to be attacked by OH^-, so the reaction is faster than the former. The mechanisms for the forbidden hydrolyses of salicylates in aqueous CTAB and micelle are also discussed.

Key words: HYDROLYSIS, REACTION KINETICS, PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETRY, REACTION RATE CONSTANT, MICELLE