The reaction of hydroxide ion with methyl N, NJV-trimethylglycinate (la) is inhibited by cationic micelles of C14H29NMe3Cl and Cl6HS3NMe3C1 (MTACl and CTACl) because the substrate is largely in the aqueous pseudophase which is depleted in OH-by the cationic micelles. Added C1-displaces OH-from the micelles and decreases micellar inhibition. The corresponding reaction of methyl N-dodecyl-N, N-dimethylglycinate (lb) is catalyzed by ...