Rotator phases and surface crystallization in α-eicosene

The rotator phases and surface crystallization of α-eicosene were studied using surface and bulk X-ray scattering techniques as well as surface tensiometry. The α-olefin differs from the n-alkane in a weak breaking of the molecular inversion symmetry. Behavior qualitatively the same as, but quantitatively different from, the corresponding n-alkane was observed. The temperature range of stability of the bulk rotator and surface crystal phases was enhanced. The broken inversion symmetry of the molecule did not manifest itself in the nature of these phases.