Thermotropic liquid crystals of n-alkylammonium poly(alpha, L-glutamates)

The interaction of poly(alpha, L-glutamic) acid of varying molecular weight s with long chain primary or secondary amines leads to the formation of sal ts which exhibit smectic B, E or A liquid crystalline phases as established by optical microscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction studies. The type of orde ring observed depends on temperature and also on the chemical nature of the amine used. Upon salt formation, the polyglutamic acid, partially in a bet a (2)-sheet conformation, is transformed completely into a-helices. The str ucture and structural parameters of the observed phases are determined.