Insights into the Structure of the Supramolecular Amphiphile Formed by a Sulfonated Calix[6]arene and Alkyltrimethylammonium Surfactants

In this work, we have studied the interactions between the water-soluble p-sulfonatocalix[6] arene and cationic surfactants octyltrimethylammonium bromide below the cmc and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide above the cmc, by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy. From the STD build-up curves, we have obtained the T1 independent cross relaxation rates, and the results show that the interactions established between the cationic headgroup of the surfactant and the OMe group of the macrocycle play an important role in the stabilization of the complex, both below and above the cmc.