Fig. 9.
Model representing conceivable interactions of Cn-IMe·HI imidazolium salts with bilayer membranes. The long chain C15-IMe·HI imidazolium salt forms vesicles under buffered conditions and can fuse with membranes. Charge interactions of positive imidazolium salt head groups and zwitterionic or negatively charged lipids led to the intercalation into the membrane. This is likely to be accompanied by the formation of mixed micelles. The medium chain length C11-IMe·HI imidazolium salt can form vesicles and micelles which disintegrate and lyse bilayer membranes by fusion and incorporation. It also may form mixed micelles. The short chain C7-IMe·HI imidazolium salt forms micelles and cannot stabilize giant vesicles in solution. It is likely to pass membranes without disruption. Modified from Drücker et al. (2017)