The reversible formation of
association colloids from surfactants in non-polar solvents leads to aggregates termed inverted
(or inverse, reverse or reversed)
micelles. Such
association is often of the type:
and the phenomenon of
critical micelle concentration (or an analogous effect) is consequently not observed. In an inverted
micelle the polar groups of the surfactants are concentrated in the interior and the
lipophilic groups extend towards and into the non-
polar solvent.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1126
