Micellar structure of a sugar based bolaamphiphile in pure solution and destabilizing effects in mixtures of glycolipids

We have synthesized a new type of bolaamphiphile with disaccharide headgroups at the polar terminus and an alkyl chain of 12 carbon atoms. The self organization properties of the pure compound in dilute aqueous solutions have been investigated using surface tension measurements critical micelle concentration (CMC) and small angle neutron scattering (aggregate structure). Additionally, we have used the bolaamphiphile as a dopant to solutions of octyl-β-d-glucoside. Addition of bolaamphiphile shifts the CMC to higher values compared to ideal mixing and decreases the size of micelles.