Dimeric β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) were synthesized by the reaction of native β-CD with epichlorohydrin under basic conditions. We have investigated the effects of dimeric β-CD on the diacetylene and polydiacetylene liposomes. The vesicular diacetylene was distrupted in the presence of dimeric β-CD with the consequent inhibition of polymerization. The result might be attributed to the formation of a complex between dimeric β-CD and diacetylene liposomes, and it was clearly differentiated from that of monomeric β-CD. Furthermore, the ordered supramolecular structure of polydiacetylene was perturbed by the dimeric β-CD, which was detected from the visible color change. Finally, the morphological characteristics and size of polydiacetylene in the absence and presence of dimeric β-CD were examined using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The results show fused structure of size more than 200 nm along with the deformation of the vesicles, and they represent a novel phenomenon of liposome structure induced by complexation with dimeric β-CD. The evaluated physicochemical characteristics can be applied to the development of carbohydrate-based surfactants.

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