Guerbet alcohols have been used to synthesize glycolipids (GLs) that mimic the properties of natural GLs. This study examines how headgroup size influences thermotropic and lyotropic behavior, as well as emulsion stability. Under dry condition, 2-dodecylhexadecyl-β- d -xyloside (βXylC 16 C 12 ) and 2-dodecylhexadecyl-β- d -glucoside (βGlcC 16 C 12 ) formed an inverse hexagonal phase (H 2 ), while 2-dodecylhexadecyl-β- d -maltoside (βMalC 16 C 12 ) exhibited polymorphism where the GL displays a series of phases from lamellar (L α ) to nonlamellar (inverse bicontinuous cubic (V 2 ) and H 2 ) upon heating. Dielectric spectroscopy probed the dynamics of these phase assignments, revealing distinct relaxation signatures that track the L α, V 2, and H 2 transitions in βMalC 16 C 12 . Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann analysis confirmed that the larger headgroup increases molecular cooperativity and the energy barrier for primary α-relaxations. In excess water condition, βXylC 16 C 12 and βGlcC 16 C 12 remained as hydrated solids, while βMalC 16 C 12 formed a L α phase. Emulsification tests in various oils showed that βGlcC 16 C 12 provided the highest stability over 5 days. These findings demonstrate the significant influence of headgroup structure on packing, phase transitions, and emulsification, guiding the design of GLs as biodegradable alternatives in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic formulations.
Zahid et al. (Wed,) studied this question.