Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) inhibits the Cr(VI) oxidation of ethanol and propan-1-ol while sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) catalyzes the title reactions. At higher values of the [surfactant], the rate attains a limiting value. The micellar effect has been explained by considering the preferential partitioning of the reactants in terms of the suggested mechanism. Applicability of the Menger-Portnoy model and Piszkiewicz model to explain the observed micellar effect has been examined.