α, ω-Dipolar amphiphiles: Influence of rigid and flexible units on aggregation behavior

Mono- and α,ω-dipolar amphiphiles with hydrophilic pyridinium head groups, and flexible and rigid hydrophobic parts have been synthesized. Surface tension and conductivity measurements proved that micellar aggregates for amphiphiles 1–4 are formed. The incorporation of rigid units leads to a decrease in the critical micellar concentration (CMC): the rigid monopolar amphiphile 2 aggregates at lower concentration than the flexible monopolar amphiphile 1. A similar decrease was observed when chain ends were connected: the flexible α,ω-dipolar amphiphile 3 has a lower CMC than the flexible monopolar amphiphile 1. The more flexible amphiphiles 1–3 allow the formation of micelles of different sha…