Thermodynamic Investigation (Volume and Compressibility) of the Systems β-Cyclodextrin + n-Alkyltrimethylammonium Bromides + Water

Cyclodextrin/surfactant inclusion complexes: An integrated view of their thermodynamic and structural properties

Cyclodextrins (CDs) play an important role in self-assembly systems of amphiphiles. The structure of CDs provides distinguished physicochemical properties, including the ability to form host-guest complexes. The complexation affects the properties of guest molecules and can produce supramolecular aggregates with desirable characteristics for fundamental and practical applications. Surfactants are particularly attractive host molecules due to their wide variety, availability, responsiveness to different stimuli, and high relevance in different fields, e.g. medical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The tendency of organization in higher-order supramolecular aggregates arises the interest in applying such versatile complexes in the development of novel materials. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the thermodynamics aspects of surfactants and CDs inclusion complexes formation in aqueous environment, emphasizing the assessment of the interactions, thermodynamic driving forces, and structural aspects. Also, the most common analytical techniques used to gather deep insight into the aspects of CDs complexes are discussed and the perspectives for the surfactant-cyclodextrin complexes are pointed out.

Effect of Molecular Composition of Head Group and Temperature on Micellar Properties of Ionic Surfactants with C12 Alkyl Chain

The paper analyses influences of the temperature and hydrophilic groups on micellar properties of ionic surfactants with 12-carbonic hydrophobic chains. The aim is to assess the impact of hydrophilic groups and temperature on thermodynamic parameters and micellization. This knowledge is indispensable for the formulation of new dosage forms. The method uses conductometric measurements. The following hydrophilic groups are analyzed: trimethylammonium bromide, trimethylammonium chloride, ethyldimethylammonium bromide, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide, pyridinium chloride, benzyldimethyl-ammonium chloride, methylephedrinium bromide, cis and trans-[(2-benzyloxy)-cyclohexyl-methyl]-N, N-dimethylammonium bromide, sodium sulphate and lithium sulphate. Except for a few cases, there is a good agreement between values of critical micellar concentrations (CMC) and critical vesicle concentration (CVC) obtained here and those which were obtained by other authors and/or by other physicochemical methods. Values of the CMC are compared with respect to the molar masses of hydrophilic groups. It was found that CMC values increased non-linearly with increasing system temperature. The degrees of counterion binding and thermodynamic parameters, like the standard molar Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of micellization are determined and discussed in detail. The results obtained will be incorporated into in silico processes of modeling and design of optimal dosage forms, a current interdisciplinary research focus of the team.

Ultrasonic study of hyaluronan interactions with Septonex-A pharmaceutical cationic surfactant

Interactions between hyaluronan and the cationic surfactant Septonex were studied using high resolution ultrasound spectroscopy. Four different interaction regions were identified in aqueous solution in a narrow interval of surfactant concentrations. In contrast, in 0.15 mol/L NaCl solution, essentially only two principal regions were observed. Hyaluronan-Septonex aggregates were generally less compressible than Septonex monomers or micelles and their formation in water was not appreciably affected by hyaluronan molecular weight. In the presence of NaCl, the effect of hyaluronan molecular weight was more profound, which can be ascribed to its conformational sensitivity to ionic strength combined with its role as a surfactant counterion. Hyaluronan-Septonex interactions were closer to interactions with CTAB than with TTAB. Differences in structure or Krafft temperature (solubility) between Septonex and CTAB were thus not significantly reflected in these interactions. The basic characteristics of Septonex surfactant were also determined.

Interactions of hyaluronan with oppositely charged surfactants in very diluted solutions in water

The phase behavior of aqueous systems containing hyaluronan, at concentrations between 2 and 100 mg/L, and oppositely charged surfactants was investigated. A fluorescence probe technique revealed the formation of micellar structures on the hyaluronan in homogeneous systems well below the surfactant standard, critical, micellar concentration. Moreover, regions of gel-phase separation were revealed. A detailed phase diagram was, thus, constructed in the very diluted region and the hyaluronan concentration was found to be the main parameter controlling the phase behavior, in contrast to the charge ratio. The stability of hyaluronan-surfactant aggregates in the homogeneous systems while in storage at 4 °C (up to three months), against dilution, salt addition and on heating-cooling (between 10 and 50 °C) was also investigated. The aggregates were stable while in storage or upon increasing and decreasing the temperature. The dilution of hyaluronan-surfactant complexes or the addition of 0.15 M NaCl led to their disintegration. Finally, systems prepared in a 0.15 M NaCl solution showed that interactions are suppressed and no aggregation below the standard critical micellar concentration was observed.

Design of β-CD-surfactant complex-coated liquid crystal droplets for the detection of cholic acid via competitive host-guest recognition

β-CD-C14TAB complex-coated 5CB droplets are designed by the adsorption of β-CD-C14TAB complexes at the 5CB/aqueous interface. We show that the 5CB droplets can be used as an optical probe for the selective detection of cholic acid in aqueous solution containing uric acid and urea via competitive host-guest recognition.

Controllable morphology transition from vesicular to worm-like to vesicular multilamellar mesoporous silica induced by β-cyclodextrin

Morphological changes of mesoporous silica from vesicular to worm-like to vesicular multilamellar were induced by adding appropriate amounts of β-CD to mixed CTAB/DDAB surfactant aggregates.

The formation of host-guest complexes between surfactants and cyclodextrins

Cyclodextrins are able to act as host molecules in supramolecular chemistry with applications ranging from pharmaceutics to detergency. Among guest molecules surfactants play an important role with both fundamental and practical applications. The formation of cyclodextrin/surfactant host-guest compounds leads to an increase in the critical micelle concentration and in the solubility of surfactants. The possibility of changing the balance between several intermolecular forces, and thus allowing the study of, e.g., dehydration and steric hindrance effects upon association, makes surfactants ideal guest molecules for fundamental studies. Therefore, these systems allow for obtaining a deep insight into the host-guest association mechanism. In this paper, we review the influence on the thermodynamic properties of CD-surfactant association by highlighting the effect of different surfactant architectures (single tail, double-tailed, gemini and bolaform), with special emphasis on cationic surfactants. This is complemented with an assessment of the most common analytical techniques used to follow the association process. The applied methods for computation of the association stoichiometry and stability constants are also reviewed and discussed; this is an important point since there are significant discrepancies and scattered data for similar systems in the literature. In general, the surfactant-cyclodextrin association is treated without reference to the kinetics of the process. However, there are several examples where the kinetics of the process can be investigated, in particular those where volumes of the CD cavity and surfactant (either the tail or in special cases the head group) are similar in magnitude. This will also be critically reviewed.

Synthesis, aggregation behavior and interfacial activity of branched alkylbenzenesulfonate gemini surfactants

Branched alkylbenzenesulfonate gemini surfactants: sodium 6,6'-(propane-1,3-diylbis(oxy))bis(3-(2-propylpentyl)benzenesulfonate) (C8BC3C8B), sodium 6,6'-(propane-1,3-diylbis(oxy))bis(3-(3,5,5-trimethylhexyl)benzenesulfonate) (C9BC3C9B), and sodium 6,6'-(propane-1,3-diylbis(oxy))bis(3-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)benzenesulfonate) (T-C8BC3C8B) have been synthesized. Their interfacial activity and aggregation behavior in aqueous solution were studied by surface/interface tension measurement, electrical conductivity, isothermal titration microcalorimetry, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, steady-state fluorescence and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and the minimum average surface area/molecule (A(min)) decrease with the decrease of the branching factor, i.e., in the order of T-C8BC3C8B, C8BC3C8B and C9BC3C9B. Moreover, alkyl side chain branches generate much more significant increases in CAC and A(min) for the gemini surfactants than single-chain surfactants. However, the branching factor does not change the air/water surface tension at CAC regularly. Instead, the air/water surface tension decreases with the increase of the carbon number of the hydrocarbon chains. In addition, it is noted that the branched gemini surfactants display high efficiency in reducing toluene/water interfacial tension. Interestingly, the increase in the branching factor leads to much more endothermic enthalpy of aggregation. All these three surfactants form spherical vesicles in aqueous solution and may present a parallel-displaced structure with a directional arrangement of the benzene ring in the vesicles.

Demicellization of a mixture of cationic-anionic hydrogenated/fluorinated surfactants through selective inclusion by alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin

The interactions between alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin (alpha-/beta-CD) and an equimolar mixture of octyltriethylammonium bromide (OTEAB) and sodium perfluorooctanoate (SPFO) were studied by 1H and 19F NMR, surface tension, conductivity, and dynamic light scattering. It was shown that beta-CD could destroy the mixed micelles of OTEAB-SPFO by selective inclusion of SPFO. As beta-CD was added, the system was observed to undergo a process like this: beta-CD preferentially included SPFO to form 1:1 beta-CD/SPFO complexes. As the inclusion of SPFO was almost saturated, the mixed micelles broke and all OTEAB was released and exposed to aqueous surroundings. Then 1:1 beta-CD/OTEAB and 2:1 beta-CD/SPFO complexes significantly formed simultaneously. Contrary to beta-CD, alpha-CD exhibited selective inclusion to OTEAB and only weak association with SPFO. alpha-CD could also destroy the mixed micelles of OTEAB-SPFO; however, the demicellization ability of alpha-CD is much smaller than that of beta-CD. These conclusions were also well supported by the calculations of binding constants and DeltaG degrees . Different from the complexes of CD/conventional surfactants, the complexes of beta-CD/SPFO or alpha-CD/OTEAB formed by selective inclusion of CD in the mixed cationic-anionic surfactants may have contributed to the surface activity of the aqueous mixtures. The complexes of alpha-CD/OTEAB showed much more significant contribution to the surface activity than that of the complexes of beta-CD/SPFO.

Use of Spectra Resolution Methodology to Investigate Surfactant/β-Cyclodextrin Mixed Systems

A study of the spectral behavior of crystal violet in mixed systems formed by hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTACl) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) has been carried out. The spectra resolution methodology was used to decompose the absorption spectra of crystal violet in the sum of constituent sub-bands centered at 17,953, 16,807, and 16,474 cm(-1). The sub-bands centered at upsilon = 17,953 and 16,807 cm(-1) correspond to planar and pyramidal isomers of the dye in water and the same isomers associated with the cyclodextrin and micelle. The sub-band centered at upsilon = 16,474 cm(-1) is due to the formation of an inclusion complex between the dye and the cyclodextrin, where solvation of the carbocation takes place through the hydroxyl groups of the cyclodextrin and the association of the crystal violet to micelles of CTACl through the formation of ion pairs in the Stern layer. The results obtained in the mixed systems are compatible with the results obtained in the previously studied simple systems, thus supporting the situation where interactions do not exist between cyclodextrins and micelles once these have formed.

Advantages and limitations of the use of an extended polyelectrolyte model to describe the proton-binding process in macromolecular systems. Application to a poly(acrylic acid) and a humic acid

A number of studies have shown the suitability of the polyelectrolyte model to describe the proton-binding behavior of macromolecules. This model, however, has two limitations associated with its theoretical approach: (1) it does not consider the possible heterogeneity of binding sites, and (2) for certain calculations, it involves the need to assume a specific molecular geometry. In this article we describe the theoretical basis of an extension of the polyelectrolyte model that removes the two limitations described above. Likewise, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the extended polyelectrolyte model (EPM) through its application to describe the proton-binding process in a well-characterized macromolecular system (a poly(acrylic acid)) and a complex molecular system (a humic acid). The results obtained showed the suitability of EPM to describe proton-binding processes in complex molecular systems without the need to assume previously a specific molecular geometry and explicitly considering the possible heterogeneity of the binding sites. The results obtained indicated that the field effects associated with the conformational structure corresponding to each ionic strength, even in the discharged state, affect the values of the intrinsic constants defining the proton-binding process using EPM. Likewise, EPM analysis reveals the significant influence of both the surface charge density and the molecular size on the value of the electrostatic effects affecting the values of the intrinsic constants in the proton-binding process.

Effect of β-Cyclodextrin on the Micellar Behavior of Cetyltrimethylammonium Chloride in Aqueous Solution

Molar volume and conductivity measurements have been carried out at 298.15 K for cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) + H2O and CTAC + β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) + H2O systems. The apparent critical micelle concentrations (cmc), the dissociation degree of the micelle (β), the transfer free energy for the hydrocarbon chain of CTAC (ΔG 0 HP), the standard partial molar volumes of CTAC (V 0 Φ,S), the stoichoimetry and the association constants for the inclusion complex of CTAC with β-CD have been determined. The influence of β-CD and its complex on the micellization processes of CTAC is analyzed. It is shown that β-CD partly screened the hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain of CTAC molecules from contact with the surrounding medium, and retarded the formation of CTAC micelles in a certain extent. The thermodynamic activity of CTAC is decreased due to the formation of complex. The β-CD and its complexes do not participate the formation of micelles of CTAC, and the complex have no effect on the micelle properties once the micelles are formed. Based on a simple model, the number of CH2 groups entered the cavity of β-CD was calculated. The result suggests that, β-CD forms strong complex with CTAC; the stoichoimetry is found to be 1:1 complexes coexist at very low concentration of β-CD and 2:1 at higher concentrations of β-CD.

Study of the Interaction between a Nonyl Phenyl Ether and β-Cyclodextrin: Declouding Nonionic Surfactant Solutions by Complexation

Absorption and fluorescence measurements for aqueous solutions at 298 K containing pentaoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether (NPE5), in the absence and presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), were analyzed to determine the effect of the complexation on the aggregation of the surfactant. For the binary system, the appearance of a new emission band and the presence of an isoemissive point in the emission spectra at the time and frequency domains indicate the formation of an excimer within the micellar core. The addition of beta-CD induces the formation of an inclusion complex strong enough to break the aggregates and avoid the excimer formation. For the ternary system, the increase in fluorescence has been used to assess the binding constants of 1:1 + 2:1 stoichiometries. Static light scattering, 1H NMR diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), and two-dimensional rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) experiments were used to characterize the cloud point of NPE5 at 298 K, and to ascertain the effects of complexation on the clouding process. In the presence of beta-CD, the analysis of the 1H NMR spectra and the self-diffusion coefficients reveal the existence of interactions between the beta-CD and the aggregates that increase the cloud-point concentration more than expected. Under conditions of excess of beta-CD, ROE enhancements point to a complex of dominant 2:1 stoichiometry (beta-CD:NPE5) in which the hydrophobic moiety of the surfactant threads two beta-CDs.

In Search of Fully Uncomplexed Cyclodextrin in the Presence of Micellar Aggregates

The chemical behavior of beta-cyclodextrin/nonionic surfactant mixed systems has been investigated using the basic hydrolysis of N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluenesulfonamide as a chemical probe. The experimental results prove that at the cmc, there are significant quantities of uncomplexed beta-CD in equilibrium with the micellar aggregates. In contrast to the expected situation, the percentage of uncomplexed beta-CD in equilibrium with the micellar system increases on increasing the hydrophobicity of the surfactant molecule. This behavior is due to the existence of two simultaneous processes: complexation of surfactant monomers by cyclodextrin and the process of self-assembly to form micellar aggregates. The autoaggregation of surfactant monomers is expected to be more important than the complexation process in this mixed system. Varying the hydrophobicity of the surfactant monomer enabled us to determine that the percentages of uncomplexed cyclodextrin in equilibrium with the micellar system were in the range of 5-95%.

Inclusion Complexes between β-Cyclodextrin and a Gemini Surfactant in Aqueous Solution: An NMR Study

(1)H NMR spectra, diffusion-ordered NMR (DOSY), and 2D rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (ROESY) experiments for aqueous solutions at 298 K containing the gemini surfactant, bis (dodecyl dimethylammonium)diethyl ether dibromide (12-EO(1)-12), in the absence and presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) were used to characterize the surfactant and to determine the effects of the complexation in the micellization. For the binary system, the critical micelle concentration (cmc), the aggregation number, the stepwise micellization constant, and the size of the monomer have been obtained by studying the dependence of the chemical shifts and the self-diffusion coefficients with the concentration of surfactant. For the ternary system, the analysis of the (1)H NMR spectra and the self-diffusion coefficients reveal the formation of complexes of 1:1 and 2:1 stoichiometry (beta-CD:gemini), with a calculated stability constant for the second binding step higher than that of the first. The values of the hydrodynamic radii of the complexes were obtained from the calculated diffusion coefficients. The presence of beta-CD modifies the cmc in an extension that indicates mainly the formation of a 2:1 complex. The analysis of the chemical shifts of the surfactant indicates the nonparticipation of the complexes into the micelles. ROE enhancements depend substantially on the amount of the macrocycle added and therefore on the stoichiometry; at low concentrations of beta-CD, one of the hydrocarbon chains binds favorably with the cavity whereas the other interacts with the outer face. By contrast, at higher concentrations of beta-CD, the two hydrocarbon tails are included in two different macrocycles.

Effect of β-Cyclodextrin on the Micellar Behavior of Cetylpydinium Chloride in Aqueous Solution

Molar volume and conductivity measurements have been carried out at 298.15 K for cetylpydinium chloride (CPC) + H