Inter-/intra-molecular hydrogen bonding of stearic acids with �OH groups along the chain are investigated in the present study. Self-assembly of molecular gels obtained from these fatty acids with isomeric hydroxyl groups, is influenced by the position of the secondary hydroxyl group. 6-HSA, 8-HSA, 10-HSA, 12-HSA and 14-HSA have similar XRD and FT-IR patterns suggesting that these molecules all self-assemble in a similar fashion while 2 and 3-HSA have different mechanisms of assembly. The gelating abilities of enantiopure, racemic, and different enantio-enriched mixtures of 12HSA have been compared in order to clarify conflicting reports concerning their ability to gelate organic liquids. The gel matrix was comprised of high aspect ratio fibers in which the12HSA molecules were organized as head-to-head dimers and the 12-hydroxyl groups formed an H-bondingnetwork along the axis transverse to the longitudinal growth. Below 2 wt%, racemic 12HSA in mineral oil did not reach the percolation threshold.

Effect of geometric and positional isomers of 12HSA molecular gels

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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