Synthesis and characterization of structurally variable bola type crown ether-ferrocene surfactant vesicles

Bola-type ferrocene surfactants with terminal 18-crown-6-ether groups were synthesized. Despite showing no improvement in activity over the monosubstituted analog, they exhibited a very low critical aggregation concentration (0.06 mM). Glucose encapsulation and SAXS confirmed vesicle formation with an internal aqueous phase, enabling controlled release via potassium ion complexation. • The bola-type crown ether-ferrocene surfactant showed an extremely low CAC of 0.06 mM. • SAXS revealed vesicle structures with an inner aqueous phase formed by the amphiphilic crown ether-ferrocene surfactant. • Aggregate vesicles can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances, suggesting potential as drug delivery vehicles.