Hybrid surfactants containing separate hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon chains

Hybrid Fluorocarbon-Hydrocarbon Surfactants: Synthesis and Colloidal Characterization

Four double-tailed hybrid fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon (F-H) surfactants with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polar headgroup were synthesized. The hydrophobic scaffold consists of an amino acid core, onto which were grafted both fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon chains of different lengths. The PEG polar head was connected to the hydrophobic scaffold through a copper(I)-mediated click reaction. The four derivatives exhibit aqueous solubility >100 g/L and self-assemble into micellar aggregates with micromolar critical micellar concentration (CMC) values, as demonstrated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), surface tension (ST) measurements, and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The CMC value decreased by a factor of ∼6 for each additional pair of CH₂ groups, whereas a decrease by a factor of ∼2.5 was observed when the size of the PEG polar head was reduced from 2000 to 750 g/mol. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed unimodal micelle populations with hydrodynamic diameters of 10-15 nm, in agreement with results obtained from size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The aggregation number increased with the hydrocarbon chain length but decreased with increasing PEG chain lengths. The combination in one molecular design of both low CMC and high water solubility makes these new surfactants promising systems for novel drug-delivery systems.

Spectroscopic Studies of a Phosphonium Ionic Liquid in Supercritical CO2

Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to study a solution comprised of coumarin 153 (C153)+ trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([P6,6,6,14]+ [Tf2N]−)+ supercritical CO2 (scCO2). We compare the spectroscopy of C153 in neat scCO2 to that of C153/scCO2 with the addition of ionic liquid (IL). Excitation and emission peak frequencies of C153 in scCO2 and in IL/scCO2 diverged at reduced densities (ρr = ρ/ρc) below the CO2 critical density. At low fluid density, spectral changes in the IL/scCO2 solutions showed evidence that C153 experiences a very different microenvironment—one that is unlike neat scCO2. The data show that the presence of IL clearly influences the C153 excitation and emission profiles. Excitation was broadened and red shifted by >2000 cm−1 and the presence of an additional low-energy emission component that was red shifted by ~3000 cm−1 was clearly visible and not observed in neat scCO2. The solution heterogeneity was controlled by changing the scCO2 density and at high fluid density, both the excitation and emission spectra were more similar to those in neat scCO2. Steady-state anisotropy also showed that at low fluid density, the C153 emission was significantly polarized. Aggregation of C153 has been reported in the literature and this led us to hypothesize the possibility that C153 dimer (aggregation) formation may be occurring in scCO2. Another possible explanation is that dye–IL aggregates may dissolve into the scCO2 phase due to C153 acting as a “co-solvent” for the IL. Time-resolved intensity decay measurements yielded only slightly non-exponential decays with accompanying time constants of ~3–4 ns that were significantly shorter than the 5–6 ns time constants in neat scCO2, which are suggestive of C153–IL interactions. However, these data did not conclusively support dimer formation. Pre-exponential factors of the time constants showed that almost all of the emission was due to monomeric C153.

Low-Molecular-Weight Supramolecular Ionogel Based on Host-Guest Interaction

Supramolecular ionogels were prepared by self-assembly of small molecules through host-guest interaction between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and a room-temperature ionic liquid (IL) 3-(1-methyl-3-imidazolio)propanesulfonate-lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (MIPS-LiTFSI) which contains zwitterion MIPS. ¹⁹F NMR and 2D ROESY ¹H NMR have been used to prove that only TFSI^- is involved in the complexation. ¹H NMR, FT-IR, and comparative tests indicated that the electrostatic interaction between imidazole cation and TFSI^- anion and intermolecular hydrogen bonding between three compounds also contribute to the formation of supramolecular ionogel. Ionogels with different gel-sol phase transition temperatures can be obtained by adjusting the molar ratio between β-CD and MIPS-LiTFSI. In addition, the supramolecular ionogels composed of "channel type" structural β-CD have been constructed. The ionogel with high conductivity and low activation energy open a door to new fields for special applications.

Monitoring the different micelle species and the slow kinetics of tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane-sulfonate by 19F NMR spectroscopy

Since we lack effective tools that can monitor the structures of surfactant micelles in situ, the different equilibrium species and the slow kinetics of micelles are still not well understood. Herein, by using ¹⁹F NMR, we simultaneously monitored that micelles of tetraethylammonium perfluorooctanesulfonate (TPFOS, C₈F₁₇SO₃N(C₂H₅)₄) in water grow more complex in virtue of hydrophobic counterions and the slow kinetic exchange process exists in the system. Apart from the monomeric signals, three sets of micelle signals which correspond to spherical micelles, wormlike/wormlike micelles with rings in end caps and toroidal micelles were successfully detected on the NMR time scale because of the slow exchange rate for surfactant molecules between the monomer and the micelle states. By comparison, other fluoro- and hydrocarbon surfactants with different tail lengths and counterions (⁺N(CH₃)₄, ⁺N(C₃H₇)₄, Li⁺ and Na⁺) have been studied, and the coexistence of different micelles could also been observed for the aqueous solution of C₉F₁₉COON(CH₃)₄. However, only one set of averaged NMR signals could be observed for these surfactants. The micellization of TPFOS in water is demonstrated to be a predominantly entropy-driven process. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation revealed an unusual distribution of counterions, providing further understanding of the mechanism of the micelle formation process.

Structure and Rheology of Wormlike Micelles Formed by Fluorocarbon-Hydrocarbon-Type Hybrid Gemini Surfactant in Aqueous Solution

The structure and rheological properties of wormlike micelles formed by a fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon-type hybrid gemini surfactant in an aqueous solution were investigated by means of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and viscoelastic measurements. The cross-sectional structure (the radius of the hydrophobic core and the thickness of the hydrophilic shell) and the aggregation number per unit axial length of wormlike micelles were evaluated by a model fitting analysis of SAXS profiles. Both parameters for the hybrid gemini surfactant were smaller than those of a corresponding hydrocarbon-hydrocarbon-type gemini surfactant. On the other hand, the viscosity of the hybrid gemini surfactant was higher than that of the hydrocarbon-hydrocarbon-type gemini surfactant. From the viscoelastic parameters, the steady state compliance, J_e, and the terminal relaxation time, τ_w, which were independently obtained by dynamic viscoelastic measurement, we revealed that a larger number of entanglements and a longer contour length of the hybrid gemini surfactant led to the higher viscosity. These results obtained by the rheological measurements were consistent with those obtained by SAXS analysis.

Synthesis and Monolayer Behaviors of Novel Hybrid Corynomycolic Acids Containing Semifluoroalkyl Groups

In this work, novel hybrid-type corynomycolic acids [hybrid-OH and hybrid-COOH, with semifluoroalkyl groups (Rf-(CH2)n-: Rf = C4F9, n = 6 and Rf = C6F13, n = 3) located on the carbon atoms attached to the hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups (C-OH and C-COOH), respectively] were successfully synthesized. The behaviors and formation of hybrid corynomycolic acid monolayers at the air-water interface were investigated by surface tension and surface pressure-area (π-A) measurements to clarify the effects of the Rf chain length, position of the semifluoroalkyl group, and surfactant molecule stereochemistry. Compared to dialkyl corynomycolic acid, both the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the surface tension at the CMC (γCMC) of hybrid corynomycolic acids were reduced by the presence of the Rf group. With respect to the surface tension versus log concentration (γ vs. log C) isotherms, all syn-isomers of the hybrid-OH and hybrid-COOH acids showed two break points, while the anti-isomers showed only one break point. These different isotherms can be explained in terms of the steric repulsion between the two hydrophilic groups (OH and COO(-)), which depend on the stereochemistry of the surfactant. No effect of the location of the semifluoroalkyl group was observed. With respect to the formation of a monolayer film, four parameters-the lift-off area (AL), zero-pressure molecular area (A0), maximum of the Gibbs elastic modulus [EG (max)], and monolayer collapse pressure (πc)-were measured. Both AL and A0 of all hybrid corynomycolic acids were larger than the corresponding dialkyl acids due to the bulky and rigid Rf groups. Interestingly, syn- and anti-hybrids had almost identical isotherms on compression, although the values of πc of anti-hybrids were higher than those of syn-isomers. In addition, the values of EG (max) of hybrid-COOHs were slightly larger than those of the corresponding hybrid-OHs. Using the nascent soap method (agent-in-oil method), we found that anti-F4C6-OH (a hybrid corynomycolic acid) is a promising emulsifier for a ternary system comprising octane, water, and perfluoropolyether oil.

Periodic Formation/Breakdown of Lamellar Aggregates with Anionic Cyanobiphenyl Surfactants

This study reports unusual behavior of aqueous-phase lamellar aggregates with a new class of hybrid surfactant, CB-B2ES, having mesogenic units {6-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)phenyloxy]hexyl} and temperature-sensitive oxyethylated (butoxyethoxyethyl) tails. These tails are poorly miscible and likely to microsegregate if the surfactant molecules assemble. Lamellar aggregates appear at CB-B2ES concentrations higher than 5 wt % and were found to undergo repeat formation/breakdown periodically at 30 °C, with an average domain lifetime of ∼10 s. To investigate effects of the temperature-sensitive oxyethylene units on the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) of the CB-B2ES bilayers, a fluorescence probe 1-pyrene-carboxaldehide was solubilized in the mixtures to sense the micro-environmental polarities. Fluorimetric measurements suggested that the polarity of CB-B2ES bilayers is very similar to that of the non-ethoxylated CB-B2ES analogue at high temperatures (≥65 °C). However, for CB-B2ES, polarity increased with a decreasing temperature, in contrast with the small decrease in polarity observed for analogous non-ethoxylated bilayers. This is consistent with increased hydration of the oxyethylene units in CB-B2ES bilayers at low temperatures. The periodic formation/breakdown and cooling-induced hydrophilicity of the CB-B2ES lamellar aggregates did not appear in the non-hybrid and/or non-ethoxylated surfactant systems. Therefore, the combination of two unsymmetrical tails, one containing oxyethylene units and the other containing cyanobiphenyl terminal tips, must play an important role promoting this unusual behavior.

Hybrid Biosurfactant: Syntheses of Hybrid Corynomycolic Acid and its Monolayer Formation

Corynomycolic acids have two hydrophilic heads (OH and COOH) and two hydrophobic tails on adjacent carbon atoms. In this work, hybrid type corynomycolic acids (syn- and anti-isomers) were synthesized via the following three steps: 1) crossed Claisen condensation of t-butyl tridecanoate with ethyl per fluorooctanoate, 2) reduction of C = O to OH, and 3) conversion of COO-t-Bu to COOH using CF3COOH. Both hydrophilic groups (OH and COOH) of hybrid corynomycolic acid would dissociate to –O– and –COO– at alkaline condition (pH = 12) while they remain unchanged at acidic condition (pH < 3). The effect of hybrid structure on the surfactant properties was investigated by the surface tension and surface pressure-area (π-A) measurements. Hybrid type corynomycolic acid gave smaller cmc and γcmc than dialkyl type one due to fluoroalkyl chain. With respect to the stereochemistry, the anti-isomer attained a smaller γcmc value than the syn-isomer. In π-A measurements, the monolayer of the syn-isomer showed a lower collapsing pressure (∼15 mN m– 1) than that of the anti-isomer.

Syntheses of Tartaric Acid-Based Hybrid Gemini Surfactants Containing Fluorocarbon and Hydrocarbon Chains

Tartaric acid-based symmetric and hybrid gemini surfactants having dodecyloxy (C12H25O-) and tridecafluoro nonyloxy groups (C6F13(CH2)3O-) as hydrophobic groups were synthesized, and their surface properties were studied by surface tension (γ)-concentration and surface pressure-area (π-A) measurements. All geminis showed superior surfactant properties to 1+1 type surfactant. Especially, hybrid gemini showed high efficiency of lowering the surface tension comparable to that of bis(C6F13(CH2)3O) gemini. Further, hybrid gemini showed an unusual existence of two breakpoints at γ = ∼25 and 18 mN m−1. In the π-A measurements, regardless of symmetric or hybrid structures, geminis having fluoroalkyl group formed only liquid condensed monolayers while the bis(dodecyloxy) gemini formed solid monolayer. Molecular occupied areas of hybrid gemini were subequal to the mean of those of symmetric geminis.

Supercritical carbon dioxide: a solvent like no other

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) could be one aspect of a significant and necessary movement towards green chemistry, being a potential replacement for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Unfortunately, carbon dioxide has a notoriously poor solubilising power and is famously difficult to handle. This review examines attempts and breakthroughs in enhancing the physicochemical properties of carbon dioxide, focusing primarily on factors that impact solubility of polar and ionic species and attempts to enhance scCO2 viscosity.

First fluorinated zwitterionic micelle with unusually slow exchange in an ionic liquid

The micellization of a fluorinated zwitterionic surfactant in ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) was investigated. The freeze-fracture transmission electron microscope (FF-TEM) observations confirm the formation of spherical micelles with the average diameter 25.45 ± 3.74 nm. The micellization is an entropy-driven process at low temperature but an enthalpy-driven process at high temperature. Two sets of (19)F NMR signals above the critical micelle concentration (cmc) indicate that the unusually slow exchange between micelles and monomers exists in ionic liquid; meanwhile, surfactant molecules are more inclined to stay in micelle states instead of monomer states at higher concentration. Through the analysis of the half line width (Δν1/2), we can obtain the kinetic information of fluorinated zwitterionic micellization in an ionic liquid.

Hybrid CO2-philic surfactants with low fluorine content

The relationships between molecular architecture, aggregation, and interfacial activity of a new class of CO(2)-philic hybrid surfactants are investigated. The new hybrid surfactant CF2/AOT4 [sodium (4H,4H,5H,5H,5H-pentafluoropentyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexyl)-2-sulfosuccinate] was synthesized, having one hydrocarbon chain and one separate fluorocarbon chain. This hybrid H-F chain structure strikes a fine balance of properties, on one hand minimizing the fluorine content, while on the other maintaining a sufficient level of CO(2)-philicity. The surfactant has been investigated by a range of techniques including high-pressure phase behavior, UV-visible spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and air-water (a/w) surface tension measurements. The results advance the understanding of structure-function relationships for generating CO(2)-philic surfactants and are therefore beneficial for expanding applications of CO(2) to realize its potential using the most economic and efficient surfactants.

Amphiphiles for supercritical CO2

A semi-fluorinated hybrid amphiphile, pentadecafluoro-5-dodecyl (F7H4) sulfate, has been shown to form reversed micelles in dense CO(2); the aggregates evolve to form water-in-CO(2) (w/c) microemulsion droplets on addition of water. Aggregation structures in these w/c phases have been characterised by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), showing the presence of cylindrical droplets, which change into dispersed lamellar phases at even higher water loadings. Other systems are also introduced, being high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) with brine, and liquid and supercritical CO(2), stabilized by certain commercially available nonylphenol ethoxylates (Dow Tergitol NP-, and Huntsman Surfonic N- amphiphiles). These dispersions have been characterised by SANS for the first time. Quantitative analyses of the HIPEs SANS profiles show that they behave similarly to hydrocarbon-water emulsion analogues, with regard to total interfacial areas and the effects of amphiphile concentration on the underlying structures. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches for controlling the physico-chemical properties of liquid/supercritical CO(2) in potential applications are compared and contrasted. These results highlight the importance of using specially designed CO(2)-philic amphiphiles for generating self-assembly structures in dense CO(2).

Surfactants for CO2

For some 15 years the attainment of efficient, nonfluorinated CO2-active surfactants has been a Holy Grail for researchers spanning pure and applied chemical sciences. This article tells the story of small-molecule CO2-active surfactants, from the first tentative observations with fluorinated compounds in 1991 up to recently discovered fluorine-free oxygenated amphiphiles.

Hybrid fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon CO2-philic surfactants. 2. formation and properties of water-in-CO2 microemulsions

Hybrid fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon (F-H) sulfate surfactants are shown to be efficient stabilizers in water-in-CO2 (w/c) microemulsions. The chain structure and F-H ratio affect the regions of P-T phase stability and aggregation structure in these w/c phases. High-pressure near-infrared spectroscopy and small-angle neutron scattering measurements of microemulsified water provide evidence for the stabilization of w/c microemulsion droplets. The relative lengths of the two chains were found to influence the favored aggregation structure: for symmetric chain surfactants (F8H8, F7H7) spherical reverse micelles are present, but for asymmetric chain surfactants (F7H4, F8H4) extended cylinder aggregates form. These changes in aggregation are consistent with different surfactant packing parameters owing to the controlled variations in molecular structure. Furthermore, the general order of w/c phase transition pressures (F8H8 < F7H7 and F8H4 < F7H4) is in line with estimations of surfactant fractional free volume, as proposed by Johnston et al. (J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 1962-1966). Studies of adsorption at the poly(dimethylsiloxane)-water interface are shown to be valuable for assessing the CO2-philicity of new surfactants. All in all, the symmetric F8H8 and F7H7 analogues are seen to be the most efficient compounds from this class for applications in CO2.

Hybrid fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon CO2-philic surfactants. 1. synthesis and properties of aqueous solutions

Six different hybrid fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon (F-H) sulfate and sulfonate surfactants, with variations in the relative F/H carbon chain length, have been synthesized and characterized in aqueous solution. These compounds have been targeted for potential activity in densified CO2. Tensiometric data and chemical analyses were consistent with surfactants of high chemical purity. Fluorination in terms of the F/H ratio exerts a strong control over all the surfactant physicochemical properties, including critical micelle concentrations (cmc's) and adsorption isotherms. One of these partially fluorinated surfactants (the sulfonate phi-F6H4) achieves very low surface tensions in water (gamma(cmc) approximately 19 mN m(-1)) more reminiscent of fully fluorinated double-chain compounds. Detailed 19F NMR studies revealed that omega'-CF3 groups can exhibit separate signals for monomeric and micellized forms, hence facilitating cmc determinations. Small-angle neutron scattering investigations confirmed the presence of ellipsoidal or extended disklike micelles, depending on the F-H chain asymmetry. For example, a symmetric hybrid F8H8 generates disklike micelles, whereas chain asymmetry in F8H4 or phi-F6H4 tends to drive cylindrical aggregation structures. These changes are consistent with variations in the surfactant packing parameter caused by the different chain F/H ratios. Hence, adsorption and aggregation are shown to respond in a predictable way to the molecular structure of these unusual surfactants.

Synthesis of ether-linked fluorocarbon surfactants and their aggregational properties in organic solvents

A series of single- and double-tailed hydrocarbon-fluorocarbon (HF) surfactants were prepared to evaluate the effect of molecular structure on aggregate formation in organic solvents. The molecules were designed with ether linkages to permit facile syntheses of both sets of molecules. Solvent foaming studies were used to rapidly assess the surface-active properties of the surfactants, while dynamic light scattering provided quantitative critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and hydrodynamic radius (R(h)) measurements of the aggregates in solution. The single-tailed surfactants did not produce any foaming action in a number of hydrocarbon solvents, nor was any micellar formation observed up to 100 mM concentrations. Double-tailed surfactants, on the other hand, gave low CMC values in dodecane but with R(h) values that indicated a tight micelle structure. Bilayer formation was expected but not observed for these molecules, which is believed to be due to their unusual structural geometry, imparted by the glycerol backbone. No thermotropic liquid crystalline (LC) behavior was observed for any of the single- or double-tailed molecules. These data contrast with the known behavior of perfluorinated alkanes and other fluorinated surfactants, suggesting that the ether linkage plays an important role in the self-organizing behavior of these molecules.

Microstructures in the aqueous solutions of a hybrid anionic fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon surfactant

The aqueous solutions of the anionic hybrid fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon surfactant sodium 1-oxo-1[4-(tridecafluorohexyl)phenyl]-2-hexanesulfate (FC6HC4) shows peculiar rheological behavior. At 25 degrees C the viscosity vs concentration curve goes successively through a maximum and a minimum, while the viscosity vs temperature curve of the 10 wt% aqueous FC6HC4 solution goes through a marked maximum at 36 degrees C [Tobita et al., Langmuir 13 (1997) 5054]. In an attempt to explain these properties the microstructure of aqueous solutions of FC6HC4 has been investigated by means of digital light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy at cryogenic temperature (cryo-TEM), rheology, and self-diffusion NMR. At 20 degrees C, the increase of the FC6HC4 concentration was found to result in a progressive change of structure of the surfactant assemblies from mainly spherical micelles at 0.5 wt% to mainly cylindrical micelles at 10 wt%. At intermediate concentrations small disk-like micelles and small complete and incomplete vesicles coexisting with cylindrical micelles were visualized. The occurrence of stretched cylindrical micelles is responsible for the effect of the surfactant concentration on the solution viscosity. Cryo-TEM, rheology, and self-diffusion NMR all suggest that an increase of the temperature brings about a growth of the assemblies present in the 10 wt% solution of FC6HC4. The structure of the assemblies present at the temperature where the viscosity is a maximum could not be elucidated by cryo-TEM because of the probable occurrence of an on-the-grid phase transformation, the result of blotting during specimen preparation. Nevertheless, the results show that the observed large assemblies break up at higher temperature to give rise to a more labile bicontinuous structure that consists of multi-connected disordered lamellae, with many folds and creases, and that may well be the L3 phase.

First anionic micelle with unusually long lifetime: self-assembly of fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon hybrid surfactant

The exchange of a fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon hybrid surfactant between monomer and micelle states in deuterium oxide has been investigated through 19F NMR and 1H NMR experiments. The CF3 group in the surfactant gives two kinds of 19F NMR signals corresponding to the monomer and micelle states, indicating slow surfactant exchange on NMR time scale. The lifetime (taumic) of micelle, estimated by line shape analysis of the signals, is 2.0 ms at cmc, 102 to 103 times longer than that of general surfactant micelles. Pulsed-gradient spin-echo (PGSE) experiments show that the hybrid surfactant forms considerably small micelles with a hydrodynamic radius of 0.6 nm. In contrast, at a higher concentration where no slow surfactant exchange is observed, the micelle radius increases to 1.1 nm. The interdigitation between the surfactant molecules in the micelle will contribute to the unusually long lifetime, in other words, slow surfactant exchange on the NMR time scale.

[Software development for calculation of molecular surface area and its application to hydrophobic interaction]

A novel method of calculating the water-accessible molecular surface area from the number of points generated on the molecular surface was developed. This method yielded a molecular surface area with high accuracy and speed. The molecular surface area of lecithin shows an excellent linear correlation with the logarithm of the critical micelle concentration for many lecithins having different acyl chains. The solution structure of oxyphenonium bromide estimated from the molecular surface area approach was close to that obtained from NMR. Furthermore, the change of molecular surface area, delta S(HG), with docking of host and guest was defined and its calculation method was developed. Because both the host and the guest generally consist of hydrophilic and hydrophobic atomic groups, delta S(HG) was divided into such four terms as delta Soo(HG), delta Sow(HG), delta Swo(HG), and delta Sww(HG). For instance, delta Soo(HG) is the decrease in surface area with contact between the hydrophobic surfaces of the host and the guest. When the guest molecule was moved along the symmetry axis of cyclodextrin (CyD), the structure of a complex having the maximum value of delta Soo(HG) corresponds with the crystal structure. The solution structures of several inclusion systems were predicted by this method. For various systems including alpha-CyD, beta-CyD, gamma-CyD, and aromatic and aliphatic guests, the maximum values of delta Soo(HG) showed a good correlation with the logarithms of the binding constants. This relationship will be used for the prediction of the binding constants for CyD and other host-guest systems.

Fluoroalcohols as structure modifiers in peptides and proteins: hexafluoroacetone hydrate stabilizes a helical conformation of melittin at low pH

The effect of hexafluoroacetone hydrate (HFA) on the structure of the honey bee venom peptide melittin has been investigated. In aqueous solution at low pH melittin is predominantly unstructured. Addition of HFA at pH approximately 2.0 induces a structural transition from the unstructured state to a predominantly helical conformation as suggested by intense diagnostic far UV CD bands. The structural transition is highly cooperative and complete at 3.6 M (50% v/v) HFA. A similar structural transition is also observed in 2,2,2 trifluoroethanol which is complete only at a cosolvent concentration of approximately 8 M. Temperature dependent CD experiments support a 'cold denaturation' of melittin at low concentrations of HFA, suggesting that selective solvation of peptide by HFA is mediated by hydrophobic interactions. NMR studies in 3.6 M HFA establish a well-defined helical structure of melittin at low pH, as suggested by the presence of strong NH/NHi+1 NOEs throughout the sequence, along with many medium range helical NOEs. Structure calculations using NOE-driven distance constraints reveal a well-ordered helical fold with a relatively flexible segment around residues T10-G11-T12. The helical structure of melittin obtained at 3.6 M HFA at low pH is similar to those determined in methanolic solution and perdeuterated dodecylphosphocholine micelles. HFA as a cosolvent facilitates helix formation even in the highly charged C-terminal segment.