Phase behavior of the phytantriol/water system

Phytantriol, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-1,2,3-hexadecanetriol, is frequiently used as a cosmetic ingredient; however, very little is known about its physical and chemical properties. Here, we present the phase behavior of phytantriol in water, as determined by X-ray diffraction. At room temperature, the phase sequence upon increasing the water concentration is reversed micellar, lamellar, cubic phase Q(230), and cubic phase Q(224). At 44 degreesC, the cubic liquid crystals are transformed into a reversed hexagonal phase. The temperature-composition phase diagram of phytantriol/water mixtures is, thus, qualitatively similar to that of aqueous glycerol monooleate. The chemical stability of phytantriol makes it an interesting alternative to glycerol monooleate in exploiting various scientific and technical applications of, in particular, the cubic liquid crystalline phases.