Self-assembly of synthetic glycolipid/water systems

Glycolipids (amphiphiles that bear oligosaccharides as their hydrophilic he adgroups) are of importance both scientifically and technically. This revie w describes recent advances in our understanding of the molecular correlati ons in phase behavior in aqueous glycolipids over the past several years. I n the first part, we discuss how headgroup stereochemistry affects the phas e behavior of glycolipids both in two- and three-dimensional systems. In th e second part, we discuss the effects of alkyl chain structure and phase be havior of phytanyl-chained glycolipid/water systems. The physical propertie s of glycolipid/water systems depend strongly on the inter-headgroup intera ctions that are related to such factors as stereochemistry (conformation) a nd size of headgroups, type of sugar residues involved, alkyl chain structu re, etc. Thus, apart from the conventional concept like 'hydrophilic/lipoph ilic balance', explicit accounts of headgroup interactions are crucial to c ontrol the particular glycolipid/water system concerned. This is in marked contrast to the conventional amphiphile/water systems where the inter-headg roup interactions are in most cases simply repulsive. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.