CRYSTAL STRUCTURE DETERMINATION AND NATURE CHARACTERIZATION OF 3-DODECYLOXY-2-HYDROXYPROPYL TRIMETHYL AMMONIUM BROMIDE

3-dodecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium bromide was synthesized with fatty alcohol and epichlorohydrin under alkaling condition.The crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method.The crystal was formed by double molecular layers,consisted of crossing linear alkyl chains,quaternary amine cations and bromide ions.The liquid crystal properties were investigated by polarizing optical microscopy(POM) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),which showed that the compounds were thermotropic smectic liquid crystals.