Characterization of mesophases of a spontaneously gel-forming compound

The phases formed by 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg ml(-1) solutions of a compoun d, named RWJ-47428, in water have been studied with optical polarizing micr oscopy and X-ray diffraction. All solutions were found to exhibit the nemat ic liquid crystalline phase over a wide temperature range. Changes in optic al textures showed a transition to the isotropic phase above 130 degreesC i n the most concentrated solution. The dimensions (length and width) of the orienting unit were determined to be 22 Angstrom and 4.9 Angstrom. Higher c oncentration samples exhibit both the nematic and the lamellar phases.