Studies of Helical Aggregates of Molecules. I. Enantiomorphism in the Helical Aggregates of Optically Active 12-Hydroxystearic Acid and Its Lithium Salt

Abstract

It was found, by electron-microscope observation, that D(or L)-12-hydroxystearic acid and its Li soap crystallize from a solution in various solvents in the form of a twisted fiber. The twist was left-handed for the D-acid and right-handed for the L-acid, while the Li soap gave results just opposite to those of the corresponding acid. The DL-acid separated out not fibers, but platelike crystals, and its Li soap produced non-twisted fibers. Thus, an enantiomorphic relationship for the sense of twist between the D-enantiomer and the L-enantiomer was found both for the acid and for the Li soap.