ABSTRACT
The hysteresis of the π - A isotherms at compression and decompression is substantiated by distinct differences in the the monolayer morphology of the corresponding monolayer states. 1-Monoglyceride monolayers are excellent models for obtaining information on shape and inner structure of condensed phase domains. The D- and L-N-dodecyl gluconamide monolayers form identical dendritic crystals. The morphological variety of the condensed phase structures, formed at the main transition of the plateau region of π – A isotherms, depend largely on the chemical structure of the monolayer-forming amphiphiles. Shape and inner structure of the condensed phase domains of 1-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol monolayers23 are completely different from those of the monoglycerolester. The corresponding racemic N-dodecyl gluconamide monolayer forms microcrystalline condensed phase structures which are more or less isotropically distributed. The chiral discrimination effect observed in the monolayer morphology of the gluconamides can be related to the stereospecific configuration and conformation of the sugar head group.
