Thermal and X-ray study of sodium deoxycholate crystal and fibre

Sodium deoxycholate forms hexagonal crystals, macromolecular fibres and, in aqueous solution, micellar aggregates. All these phases show a close resemblance in the distribution of the X-ray intensities, so it is reasonable to suppose that they are composed of almost identical structural units. X-Ray and thermal measurements confirm that the crystal and the fibre present similar structures and vaporization behaviour, as well as practically the same enthalpy changes. These structural models are used and checked in the study of the micellar solutions.