Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of comb-like polymers based on lipopeptides with two hydrophobic chains

Abstract

Polymerizable lipopeptides with two hydrophobic chains were synthesized and transformed into comb-like polymers by radical polymerization. The structure of dry polymerizable lipopeptides and comb-like polymers and of their aqueous solutions was determined by X-ray diffraction. Comb-like polymers exhibit both thermotropic and lyotropic properties. Three types of mesomorphic structure were resolved: smectic B, smectic A and cylindrical hexagonal. The domains of stability of the mesophases and the values of their structural parameters were established.