Supramolecular structures generated by a p-tert-butylphenylamide derivative of deoxycholic acid. From planar sheets to tubular structures through helical ribbons.

The formation of supramolecular structures initiated by a p-tert-butylphenylamide derivative of deoxycholic acid (Na-t-butPhDC) is investigated. At 1.18 mM concentration of Na-t-butPhDC and 37 degrees C, initial flat ribbons are observed which self-transform into helical ribbons (with a mean pitch angle of 47 +/- 6 degrees) which finally originate molecular tubes with an external diameter of 241 +/- 28 nm.

Aggregation behavior of tetracarboxylic surfactants derived from cholic and deoxycholic acids and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

The reaction of 3beta-aminoderivatives of cholic and deoxycholic acids (steroid residues) with dimethyl ester of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (bridge) leads to the formation of dimers carrying four carboxylic organic functions, two of them located on the side chain of each steroid residue and the other two on the bridge. As tetrasodium salts, these new compounds behave as surfactants and have been characterized by surface tension, fluorescence intensity of pyrene (as a probe), and static and dynamic light scattering measurements. Thermodynamic parameters for micellization were obtained from the dependence of the critical micelle concentration (cmc) with temperature.

Synthesis and characterization of a new gemini surfactant derived from 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-amine (steroid residue) and ethylenediamintetraacetic acid (spacer).

A new gemini steroid surfactant derived from 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-amine (steroid residue) and ethylenediamintetraacetic acid (spacer) was synthesized and characterized in aqueous solution by surface tension, fluorescence intensity of pyrene, and light scattering (static and dynamic) measurements. These techniques evidence the existence of a threshold concentration (cac), below which a three layers film is formed at the air-water interface. Above the cac, two types of aggregates--micelles and vesicle-like aggregates--coexist in a metastable state.

pH dependent in-out isomerism of an amino-beta-cyclodextrin derivative.

An amino derivative of beta-cyclodextrin [6-(6-aminehexanamide)-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin (6-betaCD)] was synthesized, and the formation of an intramolecular inclusion complex was studied by NMR techniques. The deprotonation/protonation of the amino group stimulates an in/out movement of the pendant group toward/from the cyclodextrin cavity, the protonated species lying outside the hydrophobic cyclodextrin cavity but the unprotonated one residing inside and outside the cavity. The protonation of the amino group is a fast exchange rate NMR time-scale process, but the chain movement is a slow one.