Bolaamphiphiles (also known as bolaform surfactants, bolaphiles, or alpha-omega-type surfactants) are amphiphilic molecules that have hydrophilic groups at both ends of a sufficiently long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain. Compared to single- headed amphiphiles, the introduction of a second head- group generally induces a higher solubility in water, an increase in the critical micelle concentration (cmc), and a decrease in aggregation number. The aggregate morphologies of bolaamphiphiles include spheres, cylinders, disks, and vesicles.
State of the art (circa 2009)
Chen, Yuxia; Liu, Yan; Guo, Rong. Aggregation behavior of an amino acid-derived bolaamphiphile and a conventional surfactant mixed system. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (2009), 336(2), 766-772. CODEN: JCISA5 ISSN:0021-9797. AN 2009:776584
Yin, Shouchun; Wang, Chao; Song, Bo; Chen, Senlin; Wang, Zhiqiang. Self-Organization of a Polymerizable Bolaamphiphile Bearing a Diacetylene Group and L-Aspartic Acid Group. Langmuir (2009), 25(16), 8968-8973. CODEN: LANGD5 ISSN:0743-7463. CAN 151:173915 AN 2009:383258
Wang, H.; Li, M.; Xu, Z.; Qiao, W.; Li, Z. Interfacial tension of unsymmetrical bolaamphiphile surfactant in surfactant/alkali/crude oil systems. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects (2008), 30(16), 1442-1450. CODEN: ESPACB ISSN:1556-7036. CAN 150:475745 AN 2008:763292
Chen, Senlin; Song, Bo; Wang, Zhiqiang; Zhang, Xi. Self-Organization of Bolaamphiphile Bearing Biphenyl Mesogen and Aspartic-Acid Headgroups. Journal of Physical Chemistry C (2008), 112(9), 3308-3313. CODEN: JPCCCK ISSN:1932-7447. CAN 148:372219 AN 2008:176360