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Heterocyclic Cationic Gemini Surfactants: A Comparative Overview of Their Synthesis, Self‐assembling, Physicochemical, and Biological Properties
Author(s) -
Sharma Vishnu Dutt,
Ilies Marc A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
medicinal research reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.868
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1098-1128
pISSN - 0198-6325
DOI - 10.1002/med.21272
Subject(s) - amphiphile , cationic polymerization , chemistry , combinatorial chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , materials science , polymer , copolymer
Abstract Gemini surfactants ( GS ) are presently receiving substantial attention due to their special self‐assembling properties and unique interfacial activity. This comprehensive review is focused on positively charged heterocyclic GS , presenting their major synthetic access routes and examining the impact of structural elements on physicochemical and aggregation properties of this class of amphiphiles. Interaction of geminis surfactants with cells and their biological properties as novel transfection agents are emphasized through a detailed structure–activity relationship analysis. Throughout the review we have also presented the properties of selected ammonium GS , simple surfactants and lipid congeners, in order to emphasize the advantages conferred by using heterocyclic polar heads in GS design.