The Melting Point Alternation in alpha,omega-Alkanediols and alpha,omega-Alkanediamines: Interplay between Hydrogen Bonding and Hydrophobic Interactions The Melting Point Alternation in n-Alkanes and Derivatives, Part 2. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie. V.R.T. thanks the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for a postdoctoral fellowship. Part 1: ref. 6.

Abstract

Efficient hydrophobic packing, driven by molecular offset within the hydrogen-bonded layers of α,ω-alkanediols and diamines, is allowed by the geometry of the even-numbered members (left in the picture). In contrast, the geometry of the odd-numbered members (right in the picture) forbids such packing and leads to the observed density and melting point alternation.