<i>N</i>-<i>n</i>-Alkyl <i>N,N</i>-dimethylammonioacetic acid bromides: the first complete series of crystal and molecular structure determinations of an amphiphilic compound with alkyl chain lengths <i>n</i> = 1,..., 16

The molecular and crystal structures of 16 N-n-alkyl N,N-dimethylammonioacetic acid bromides with chain lengths between n = 1 and n = 16 have been determined. All compounds from n = 5 to n = 16 form bilayers with interdigitated chains. The even-numbered chains display the chain packing type M2(II). The chain packing of the odd-numbered chain compounds is less regular. The head groups of all compounds are connected via electrostatic N+...Br- interactions, and by OH...Br- hydrogen bonds. The compounds with short chains are packed in different ways. Their molecular conformation depends on the crystal packing.