Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
09:35
Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
A non-steroidal facial amphiphile
Fredric M Menger1, Jennifer L Sorrells
1Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. menger@emory.edu
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 13, 2006
Summary
This study introduces a novel facial amphiphile with unique properties. Unlike conventional surfactants, it forms stable emulsions and viscous networks through a stepwise self-assembly process, suggesting new surfactant applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Colloid Science
Background:
- Conventional amphiphiles with linear flexible chains are widely used but have limitations.
- Understanding novel amphiphile structures is crucial for developing advanced materials.
- Facial amphiphiles offer a unique structural paradigm compared to traditional surfactants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize an unusual non-steroidal facial amphiphile.
- To investigate the self-assembly behavior and properties of this novel compound in aqueous solutions.
- To explore its potential applications in areas like emulsion stabilization.
Main Methods:
- X-ray analysis
- Light and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-HRSEM)
- Surface tension measurements
- Conductivity studies
- Microrheology
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
Main Results:
- The facial amphiphile self-assembles into viscous networks without a traditional critical micelle concentration, indicating a stepwise assembly process.
- Stable toluene-in-water emulsions were formed, persisting for many months.
- NMR peaks were obliterated in aqueous solutions, unlike conventional surfactants.
- X-ray and cryo-HRSEM data indicated a lamellar morphology.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized facial amphiphile exhibits distinct self-assembly behavior and properties compared to conventional linear amphiphiles.
- Its ability to form stable emulsions and viscous networks suggests potential in advanced formulations and material science.
- The observed lamellar morphology and unique solution behavior warrant further investigation into its fundamental properties and applications.
Related Concept Videos
02:35Noncovalent Attractions in Biomolecules
Noncovalent attractions are associations within and between molecules that influence the shape and structural stability of complexes. These interactions differ from covalent bonding in that they do not involve sharing of electrons.
Four types of noncovalent interactions are hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
Hydrogen bonding results from the electrostatic attraction of a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strong-electronegative atom like oxygen,...
Four types of noncovalent interactions are hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
Hydrogen bonding results from the electrostatic attraction of a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strong-electronegative atom like oxygen,...
01:25Drug-Receptor Bonds
Drug-receptor bonds are formed through various chemical forces when drugs interact with target cells. Covalent bonds, strong and irreversible, are exemplified by DNA-alkylating anticancer agents that inhibit cell division. However, such irreversible drug binding lacks selectivity and can modify the DNA of the surrounding healthy cells. Covalent binding often contributes to tissue toxicity, as seen with chloroform and paracetamol metabolites binding to the liver, causing hepatotoxicity.
In...
In...
01:27Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions
Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers prevent the membrane depolarization of muscle cells and inhibit muscle contraction. These are usually administered with anesthetics to achieve complete muscle relaxation. Upon administration, these drugs first block the small, rapidly contracting muscles of the face and hands, followed by the larger muscles of the trunk and the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm is the last muscle to be affected.
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...
01:30Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Local anesthetics (LAs) are drugs that induce a temporary loss of sensation in a limited body area, preventing pain. Cocaine was the first local anesthetic discovered in the late 19th century. Cocaine is a benzoic acid ester obtained from the leaves of coca shrubs and was often used for its psychotropic effects. Cocaine was first isolated in 1860 by Albert Niemann. Sigmund Freud studied the physiological actions of cocaine. Carl Koller later introduced it into clinical practice in 1884 as a...
01:27Surface Active Agents
Surfactants, named for their behavior at interfaces, positively adsorb at the interfaces of two phases, reducing interfacial tension. Their versatility as emulsifiers, detergents, and foaming agents stems from this ability. Surfactants, often termed amphiphiles, share the property of amphipathy, with molecules having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. The hydrophilic part is called the head, and the hydrophobic part, including an elongated alkyl substituent, forms the tail.Surfactants...
01:15Antifungal Agents
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...