ABSTRACT
The pattern of novel lyotropic behaviour shown by the anti-asthmatic drug, di-sodium cromoglycate, which was previously thought to be unique, is in fact widespread. Over the last five years, twelve other anti-asthmatic/anti-allergic drugs and seventy water soluble dyes have been found with similar “chromonic” behaviour. In addition, there are early, scattered references, dating back at least half a century, describing anomalous behaviour in similar, non-amphiphile, hydrophilic, aromatic species. We have, where possible, examined these systems and have found some to be chromonic.