POLYMERIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYFUNCTIONAL AMPHIPHILIC DIACETYLENES

Amphiphilic diacetylenes of the type HC drop C-(CH2)(n)-C drop C-C dro p C-(CH2)(8)-COOH (n = 6 and 12) were synthesized. The solid-state pol ymerization of the bulk crystals, monolayers on the gas-water interfac e, and multilayers were investigated. The diacetylene moieties underwe nt polymerization upon irradiation by UV or gamma-rays, showing differ ent polymerizability depending on the material form. The polymerizatio n of the terminal acetylene groups was not observed. Enhanced polymeri zability and stability of the monolayers on subphases containing LiOH are explained by a proposed model of the monolayers. (C) 1995 John Wil ey & Sons, Inc.