Abstract: Single chain bolaamphiphile containing cinnamyl moiety [4-(ω-hydroxydecanyloxy) (ω-hydroxydecanyl) cinnamate, abr. HDC] was designed and synthesized. The photodimerization of the HDC molecules induced by UV light was the first time realized in organic solutions. The dimerized HDC was separated and formed spherical vesicles in 20% ethanol/water mixed solvents. The solvents’ dielectric constants were found to play an important role in the photodimerization process. Both the occurrence of the photodimerization reaction and the rate of the reaction were affected by the dielectric constant value of the solvents.

Key words: Bolaamphipile, Cinnamic acid derivative, Photodimerization, Aggregation