Long-chain N-alkyliminodiacetatomolybdate catalytic surfactants can be incorporated within a CTAB micellar solution and have shown catalytic activity for the oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol to the corresponding diphenoquinone in aqueous media. Scheme 1 Synthesis of molybdate surfactants. † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details regarding synthesis of Na 2 MoO 3 C 12 IDA, determination of the CMC, catalysis conditions and measurement of DPQ. See