Hydrophobic and hydrophilic balance and its effect on mesophase behaviour in hydroxyalkyl ethers of methyl glucopyranoside.

Four series of monosubstituted methyl α-D-glucopyranoside hydroxyalkyl ethers were prepared and their thermotropic and lyotropic self-organising properties were investigated in terms of the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance with respect to their molecular structures. The results obtained lead us to a new understanding of the forces that drive the formation of condensed soft-matter phases.