Abstract The reactions of p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) and p-nitrophenyl benzoate (PNPB) with α-nucleophile oximates, that is, butane 2, 3-dione monoximate, pralidoximate, and other oximates have been studied in the presence of different cationic surfactants. The first-order rate constant increases with increasing surfactant concentration. The extent of acceleration is dependent on the head group structure of surfactants. The PNPA is more reactive than ...