Synthesis and aggregation behavior of an amphiphilic cobalt (III) complex that coordinates higher diacylglyceryldiamine ligands

An amphiphilic cobalt complex that coordinates a higher diacylglycerylethylenediamino group was prepared. They extensively aggregated in aqueous solution upon ultrasonication. Electron microscopy indicated formation of stable bilayer structures, which further formed vesicles and fibrous aggregates. We observed an intermediate state that led to a network morphology in the fusion process of small unilamellar vesicles. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments establiched the presence of the phase transition from gel to liquid crystal for all probes in which a C14 to C18 acyl group was bound. The phase-transition temperature was elevated with increasing carbon numbers of the acyl group.