Amino acid-bile acid based molecules: extremely narrow surfactant nanotubes formed by a phenylalanine-substituted cholic acid

Chem Commun (Camb). 2012 Dec 21;48(98):12011-3. doi: 10.1039/c2cc36030f.

Abstract

An amino acid-substituted bile acid forms tubular aggregates with inner and outer diameters of about 3 and 6 nm. The diameters are unusually small for surfactant self-assembled tubes. The results enhance the spectrum of applications of supramolecular tubules and open up possibilities for investigating a novel class of biological amphiphiles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Bile Acids and Salts / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Phenylalanine / chemistry*
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Phenylalanine