Micelle-mediated catalysis was compared to that of ionene polymers. Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) and benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (BDHA) were the surfactants employed and 2-hydroxy-3-ionene chloride (2-OH-33R) and poly[(dipropyliminium)-1,3-propanediyl bromide], 33R33, the tested ionenes. A modified Michaelis-Menten equation described the kinetics of ionenemediated hydrolysis. The cationic polymer 2-hydroxy-3-ionene chloride proved to be the most efficient catalyst and a detailed mechanism is proposed for the reaction with benzoic anhydride (BZ(2)O)based on the kinetic evidence obtained. The catalytic efficiency follows the order 2-OH-33R > BDHA > 33R33 > CTABr. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.