A Supramolecular Amphiphile Based on Calix[4]resorcinarene and Cationic Surfactant for Controlled Self-Assembly

A novel supramolecular system based on calix[4]resorcinarene sulfonatoalkylated at the lower rim and piperidine-methylated at the upper rim and the cationic surfactant hexadecyl-1-azonia-4-azobicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide was investigated by methods of NMR, tensiometry, conductometry, potentiometry, dynamic light scattering, X-ray powder diffraction, and spectral probe techniques. Both types of molecules were found to self-associate in aqueous solution, with aggregates of different morphology formed. Importantly, a supramolecular amphiphilic binary system with controlled structure and binding behavior could be fabricated. At high surfactant concentration, the formation of its own aggregates takes place. In the systems with the excess of cyclophane the supramolecular amphiphiles are formed, which, in turn, self-assemble in particles with a large hydrophobic core. Thereby the structure of supramolecular species is determined by relative fractions of components and, hence, could be selectively controlled. The found properties can be used for the design of nanocontainers with the controlled cavity size.