Formation of Supramolecular Assemblies by Complementary Association of Octadecyloxy Tartaric Acid and Bispyridyls

Abstract

Formation properties of molecular assemblies from chiral amphiphile, 2,3-dioctadecyloxy-l-tartaric acid (1) are studied. Organization of 1 was achieved by self-complementary association, as well as with the aid of 2,2‘ and 4,4‘ bispyridyl components (2 and 3, respectively). Thermally induced formation of molecular assemblies in the solid state is reported. The results show that by modifying the geometry and angle of headgroup interaction one can control the microscopic morphologies, adding thus another facet to the design and manipulation of supramolecular polymers and liquid crystals. Amphiphile 1 produced ordered birefringent smectic texture in the solid state when heated to 90 °C; mixtures of 1 with 2 produced helices and needles, and 1 with 3 produced birefringent fan-shaped crystalline textures. X-ray diffraction data showed two motifs in observed reflections: smectic layer ordering as well as long-range in-plane ordering. An order parameter of 1000 A in in-plane reflection indicated the existence o...