Lyotropic mesomorphism of rare-earth trisalkylsulphates in the water-ethylene glycol system

Lyotropic mesophases were observed for rare-earth trisdodecylsulphates, Ln(C12H25SO4)3 (Ln = Y, La, Ce-Lu, except Pm) in the presence of ethylene glycol or water (or mixtures thereof) as the solvent. In ethylene glycol, a normal hexagonal phase and a cubic phase could be detected, whereas in water a normal hexagonal phase and a lamellar phase were found. Thus by changing the solvent, it is possible to obtain different supramolecular organizations within a series of lanthanide-containing metallomesogens.