Retinal - Amino acid Schiff bases in reverse micellar matrix

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)91628-9

The Schiff bases of retinal with natural amino acids can conveniently be prepared in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulphosuccinate reversed micelle-solubilized water pool (w = 8) in n-heptane. The micelle-constituted Schiff bases remain stable in protonated form in an environment that compares well with the reaction center of rhodopsins as far as polar and nonpolar domains of the active site is concerned.