Tunable biomimetic systems based on a novel amphiphilic pyrimidinophane and a helper nonionic surfactant

Cationic Surfactants: Self-Assembly, Structure-Activity Correlation and Their Biological Applications

“…Acyclic and macrocyclic pyrimidinophane analogs with varied size of macrocycle, alkyl chain length, and counter-ion nature were compared. Kharmalov et al [65] studied aggregation behavior of a pyrimidinocyclophane with an uracil moiety. This pyrimidinocyclophane has cationic character at pH = 1 and is insoluble in water at pH < 4 were it forms cationic aggregates.…”

“…An unusual structural transition has been revealed from large aggregates to lower micelle-like assemblies with an increase in amphiphile concentration, reversibly soluble upon increase of environment pH. The studied pyrimidinocyclophane forms, in excess with Triton X-100, stable, normal micelle aggregates in alkaline and acidic conditions [65]. In a series of macrocyclic uracilophanes with different spacer rigidity, it was shown that their aggregation behavior is controlled by the molecule geometry; the higher rigidity, the lower aggregation capacity, shown by the difference in CMC from 1 mM for “monomeric” and multiuracilophane, to 10 mM for cryptand-like uracilophane [66].…”

Structural, biocomplexation and gene delivery properties of hydroxyethylated gemini surfactants with varied spacer length

“…The interactions of cationic compounds with DNA result in the formation of biochemical constructs that are of significant importance in gene diagnostic and therapy [1][2][3][4]. Cationic surfactants are in the focus of modern biotechnological applications as relatively simple and effective carriers of therapeutic agents that assist in transfer of genetic material.…”