Supramolecular structures generated by a p-tert-butylphenyl-amide derivative of cholic acid: From vesicles to molecular tubes

The formation of supramolecular structures initiated by a p-tert-butyl-phenyl-amide derivative of cholic acid is investigated. The initial spherical vesicles, with a rather low effective bending constant, collapse into necklaces that self-transform into tubules of small diameter. Finally, molecular tubes are generated (see figure). During the process, the geometrical constraints of fixed surface area and fixed enclosed volume are obeyed.