Gel Sculpture: Moldable,Load‐Bearing and Self‐Healing Non‐Polymeric Supramolecular Gel Derived from a Simple Organic Salt

An easy access to a library of simple organic salts derived from tert‐butoxycarbonyl (Boc)‐protected L ‐amino acids and two secondary amines (dicyclohexyl‐ and dibenzyl amine) are synthesized following a supramolecular synthon rationale to generate a new series of low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs). Out of the 12 salts that we prepared, the nitrobenzene gel of dicyclohexylammonium Boc‐glycinate ( GLY.1 ) displayed remarkable load‐bearing, moldable and self‐healing properties. These remarkable properties displayed by GLY.1 and the inability to display such properties by its dibenzylammonium counterpart ( GLY.2 ) were explained using microscopic and rheological data. Single crystal structures of eight salts displayed the presence of a 1D hydrogen‐bonded network (HBN) that is believed to be important in gelation. Powder X‐ray diffraction in combination with the single crystal X‐ray structure of GLY.1 clearly established the presence of a 1D hydrogen‐bonded network in the xerogel of the nitrobenzene gel of GLY.1 . The fact that such remarkable properties arising from an easily accessible (salt formation) small molecule are due to supramolecular (non‐covalent) interactions is quite intriguing and such easily synthesizable materials may be useful in stress‐bearing and other applications.     

Self‐Healing,Expansion–Contraction,and Shape‐Memory Properties of a Preorganized Supramolecular Hydrogel through Host–Guest Interactions

Supramolecular materials cross‐linked between polymer chains by noncovalent bonds have the potential to provide dynamic functions that are not produced by covalently cross‐linked polymeric materials. We focused on the formation of supramolecular polymeric materials through host–guest interactions: a powerful method for the creation of nonconventional materials. We employed two different kinds of host–guest inclusion complexes of β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) with adamantane (Ad) and ferrocene (Fc) to bind polymers together to form a supramolecular hydrogel (βCD‐Ad‐Fc gel). The βCD‐Ad‐Fc gel showed self‐healing ability when damaged and responded to redox stimuli by expansion or contraction. Moreover, the βCD‐Ad‐Fc gel showed a redox‐responsive shape‐morphing effect. We thus succeeded in deriving three functions from the introduction of two kinds of functional units into a supramolecular material.     

Supramolecular Chirality in Organo‐, Hydro‐, and Metallogels Derived from Bis‐amides of L‐(+)‐Tartaric Acid: Formation of Highly Aligned 1D Silica Fibers and Evidence of 5‐c Net SnS Topology in a Metallogel Network

A series of bis‐amides derived from L ‐(+)‐tartaric acid was synthesized as potential low‐molecular‐weight gelators. Out of 14 bis‐amides synthesized, 13 displayed organo‐, hydro‐, and ambidextrous gelation behavior. The gels were characterized by methods including circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry, optical and electron microscopy, and rheology. One of the gels derived from di‐3‐pyridyltartaramide ( D‐3‐PyTA ) displayed intriguing nanotubular morphology of the gel network, which was exploited as a template to generate highly aligned 1D silica fibers. The gelator D‐3‐PyTA was also exploited to generate metallogels by treatment with various Cu^II/Zn^II salts under suitable conditions. A structure–property correlation on the basis of single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction data was attempted to gain insight into the structures of the gel networks in both organo‐ and metallogels. Such study led to the determination of the gel‐network structure of the Cu^II coordination‐polymer‐based metallogel, which displayed a 2D sheet architecture made of a chloride‐bridged double helix that resembled a 5‐c net SnS topology.     

A Multiple‐Responsive Self‐Healing Supramolecular Polymer Gel Network Based on Multiple Orthogonal Interactions

Supramolecular polymer networks have attracted considerable attention not only due to their topological importance but also because they can show some fantastic properties such as stimuli‐responsiveness and self‐healing. Although various supramolecular networks are constructed by supramolecular chemists based on different non‐covalent interactions, supramolecular polymer networks based on multiple orthogonal interactions are still rare. Here, a supramolecular polymer network is presented on the basis of the host–guest interactions between dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 (DB24C8) and dibenzylammonium salts (DBAS), the metal–ligand coordination interactions between terpyridine and Zn(OTf)₂, and between 1,2,3‐triazole and PdCl₂(PhCN)₂. The topology of the networks can be easily tuned from monomer to main‐chain supramolecular polymer and then to the supramolecular networks. This process is well studied by various characterization methods such as ¹H NMR, UV–vis, DOSY, viscosity, and rheological measurements. More importantly, a supramolecular gel is obtained at high concentrations of the supramolecular networks, which demonstrates both stimuli‐responsiveness and self‐healing properties.

     

Primary Ammonium Monocarboxylate Synthon in Designing Supramolecular Gels: A New Series of Chiral Low‐Molecular‐Weight Gelators Derived from Simple Organic Salts that are Capable of Generating and Stabilizing Gold Nanoparticles

The primary ammonium monocarboxylate (PAM) synthon has been exploited to generate a new series of PAM salts from the free amine of L ‐phenylalanine‐3‐pyridyl amide, (S)‐2‐amino‐3‐phenyl‐N‐(pyridine‐3‐yl)propanamine (designated as “ B ”), and various substituted benzoic acids (designated as “ A(R) ”; R =4‐Me, 4‐Cl, 4‐Br, 4‐NO₂, 3‐Me, 3‐Cl, 3‐Br, 3‐NO₂, 2‐Me, 2‐Cl, 2‐Br, 2‐NO₂). The 4‐ and 3‐substituted benzoate salts showed moderate‐to‐excellent gelation ability with a number of polar and apolar solvents. The gels were characterized by DSC, rheology, SEM and TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, etc. Structure–property studies based on single‐crystal powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and FTIR data provided insights into the role of the PAM synthon in the formation of the gel networks. Interestingly, some of the gels were capable of forming and stabilizing gold nanoparticles at room temperature without the use of any exogenous reducing agents.     

Remarkable Regioisomer Control in the Hydrogel Formation from a Two‐Component Mixture of Pyridine‐End Oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene)s and N‐Decanoyl‐L‐alanine

N‐Decanoyl‐L ‐alanine (DA) was mixed with either colorless 4,4′‐bipyridine (BP) or various derivatives such as chromogenic oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene) (OPV) functionalized with isomeric pyridine termini in specific molar ratios. This mixtures form salt‐type gels in a water/ethanol (2:1, v/v) mixture. The gelation properties of these two‐component mixtures could be modulated by variation of the position of the ′′N′′ atom of the end pyridyl groups in OPVs. The presence of acid–base interactions in the self‐assembly of these two‐component systems leading to gelation was probed in detail by using stoichiometry‐dependent UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, temperature‐dependent UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy clearly demonstrated a J‐type aggregation mode of these gelator molecules during the sol‐to‐gel transition process. Morphological features and the arrangement of the molecules in the gels were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Calculation of the length of each molecular system by energy minimization in its extended conformation and comparison with the XRD patterns revealed that this class of gelator molecules adopts lamellar organizations. Rheological properties of these two‐component systems provided clear evidence that the flow behavior could be modulated by varying the acid/amine ratio. Polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and XRD results revealed that the solid‐phase behavior of such two‐component mixtures (acid/base=2:1) varied significantly upon changing the proton‐acceptor part from BP to OPV. Interestingly, the XRD pattern of these acid/base mixtures after annealing at their associated isotropic temperature was significantly different from that of their xerogels.     

An Amino‐Acid‐Based Self‐Healing Hydrogel: Modulation of the Self‐Healing Properties by Incorporating Carbon‐Based Nanomaterials

An amino‐acid‐based (11‐(4‐(pyrene‐1‐yl)butanamido)undecanoic acid) self‐repairing hydrogel is reported. The native hydrogel, as well as hybrid hydrogels, have been thoroughly characterized by using various microscopic techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and by using rheological experiments. The native hydrogel exhibited interesting fluorescence properties, as well as a self‐healing property. Interestingly, the self‐healing, thixotropy, and stiffness of the native hydrogel can be successfully modulated by incorporating carbon‐based nanomaterials, including graphene, pristine single‐walled carbon nanotubes (Pr‐SWCNTs), and both graphene and Pr‐SWCNTs, within the native gel system. The self‐recovery time of the gel was shortened by the inclusion of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), Pr‐SWCNTs, or both RGO and Pr‐SWCNTs. Moreover, hybrid gels that contained RGO and/or Pr‐SWCNTs exhibited interesting semiconducting behavior.     

Supramolecular Synthons in Designing Low Molecular Mass Gelling Agents: L‐Amino Acid Methyl Ester Cinnamate Salts and their Anti‐Solvent‐Induced Instant Gelation

Easy access to a class of chiral gelators has been achieved by exploiting primary ammonium monocarboxylate ( PAM ), a supramolecular synthon. A combinatorial library comprising of 16 salts, derived from 5 l ‐amino acid methyl esters and 4 cinnamic acid derivatives, has been prepared and scanned for gelation. Remarkably, 14 out of 16 salts prepared (87.5 % of the salts) show moderate to good gelation abilities with various solvents, including commercial fuels, such as petrol. Anti‐solvent induced instant gelation at room temperature has been achieved in all the gelator salts, indicating that the gelation process is indeed an aborted crystallization phenomenon. Rheology, optical and scanning electron microscopy, small angle neutron scattering, and X‐ray powder diffraction have been used to characterize the gels. A structure‐property correlation has been attempted, based on these data, in addition to the single‐crystal structures of 5 gelator salts. Analysis of the FT‐IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy data reveals that some of these salts can be used as supramolecular containers for the slow release of certain pest sex pheromones. The present study clearly demonstrates the merit of crystal engineering and the supramolecular synthon approach in designing new materials with multiple properties.     

Self‐Healing Materials from V‐ and H‐Shaped Supramolecular Architectures

Integrating self‐healing capability into supramolecular architectures is an interesting strategy, and can considerably enhance the performance and broaden the scope of applications for this important class of polymers. Herein we report the rational design of novel V‐shaped barbiturate (Ba) functionalized soft–hard–soft triblock copolymers with a reversible supramolecular healing motif (Ba) in the central part of the hard block, which undergoes autonomic repair at 30 °C. The designed synthesis also offers a suitable macromolecular building block to further self‐assemble with heterocomplementary α,ω‐Hamilton wedge (HW) functionalized polyisoprene (PI; HW‐PI‐HW), resulting in an H‐shaped supramolecular architecture with efficient self‐healing capabilities that can recover up to around 95 % of the original mechanical performance at 30 °C within 24 h.     

Assembly,Structures, and Properties of a Series of Metal‐Organic Coordination Polymers Derived from a Semi‐rigid Bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide Ligand

Four metal‐organic coordination polymers [Cd(4‐bpcb)_1.5Cl₂(H₂O)] ( 1 ), [Cd(4‐bpcb)_0.5(mip)(H₂O)₂] · 3H₂O ( 2 ), [Co(4‐bpcb)(oba)(H₂O)₂] ( 3 ), and [Ni(4‐bpcb)(oba)(H₂O)₂] ( 4 ) [4‐bpcb = N,N′‐bis(4‐pyridinecarboxamide)‐1, 4‐benzene, H₂mip = 5‐methylisophthalic acid, and H₂oba = 4, 4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid)] were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, and TG analysis. In complex 1 , two Cl^– anions serve as bridges to connect two Cd‐(μ₁‐4‐bpcb) subunits forming a dinuclear unit, which are further linked by μ₂‐bridging 4‐bpcb to generate 1D zigzag chain. Complex 2 shows a 2D 6³ network constructed by [Cd‐mip]_n zigzag chains and μ₂‐bridging 4‐bpcb ligands. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural 2D (4, 4) grid networks derived from [M‐oba]_n (M = Co, Ni) zigzag chains and [M‐(4‐bpcb)]_n linear chains. The 1D chains for 1 and the 2D networks for 2 – 4 are finally extended into 3D supramolecular architectures by hydrogen bonding interactions. The roles of dicarboxylates and central metal ions on the assembly and structures of the target compounds were discussed. Moreover, the thermal stabilities, photoluminescent properties, and photocatalytic activities of complexes 1 – 4 and the electrochemical properties of complexes 3 and 4 were investigated.     

Facile Synthesis of Supramolecular Ionic Polymers That Combine Unique Rheological,Ionic Conductivity,and Self‐Healing Properties

A new family of supramolecular ionic polymers is synthesized by a simple method using (di‐/tri‐)carboxylic acids and (di‐/tri‐)alkyl amines. These polymers are formed by carboxylate and ammonium molecules that are weakly bonded together by a combination of ionic and hydrogen bonds, becoming solid at room temperature. The supramolecular ionic polymers show a sharp rheological transition from a viscoelastic gel to a viscous liquid between 30 and 80 °C. This sharp viscosity decrease is responsible for an unprecedented jump in ionic conductivity of four orders of magnitude in that temperature range. As a potential application, this chemistry can be used to develop polymeric materials with self‐healing properties, since it combines properties from supramolecular polymers and ionomers into the same material.     

From Amino Acids to High‐Energy Dense Oxidizers: Polynitro Materials Derived from β‐Alanine and L‐Aspartic Acid

New oxygen‐rich compounds starting from the amino acids β‐alanine and L ‐aspartic acid were synthesized and comprehensively analyzed including multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. Thermal stabilities were measured and the behavior towards external stimuli like friction or impact were determined. Detonation and combustion parameters were predicted by using the EXPLO5 V6.02 code and were compared with common explosives. In addition, crystal structures were obtained for two compounds.     

Metal‐Directed Self‐Assembly of a Polyoxometalate‐Based Molecular Triangle: Using Powerful Analytical Tools to Probe the Chemical Structure of Complex Supramolecular Assemblies

A polyoxometalate‐based molecular triangle has been synthesized through the metal‐driven self‐assembly of covalent organic/inorganic hybrid oxo‐clusters with remote pyridyl binding sites. The new metallomacrocycle was unambiguously characterized by using a combination of ¹H NMR spectroscopy, 2D diffusion NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), electrospray ionization travelling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (ESI‐TWIM‐MS), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular modelling. The collision cross‐sections obtained from TWIM‐MS and the hydrodynamic radii derived from DOSY are in good agreement with the geometry‐optimized structures obtained by using theoretical calculations. Furthermore, SAXS was successfully employed and proved to be a powerful technique for characterizing such large supramolecular assemblies.     

Solvent‐Polarity‐Tuned Morphology and Inversion of Supramolecular Chirality in a Self‐Assembled Pyridylpyrazole‐Linked Glutamide Derivative: Nanofibers,Nanotwists, Nanotubes,and Microtubes

The self‐assembly of a low‐molecular‐weight organogelator into various hierarchical structures has been achieved for a pyridylpyrazole linked L ‐glutamide amphiphile in different solvents. Upon gel formation, supramolecular chirality was observed, which exhibited an obvious dependence on the polarity of the solvent. Positive supramolecular chirality was obtained in nonpolar solvents, whereas it was inverted into negative supramolecular chirality in polar solvents. Moreover, the gelator molecules self‐assembled into a diverse array of nanostructures over a wide scale range, from nanofibers to nanotubes and microtubes, depending on the solvent polarity. Such morphological changes could even occur for the xerogels in the solvent vapors. We found that the interactions between the pyridylpyrazole headgroups and the solvents could subtly change the stacking of the molecules and, hence, their self‐assembled nanostructures. This work exemplifies that organic solvents can significantly involve the gelation, as well as tune the structure and properties, of a gel.     

Three Transition Metal(II) Coordination Polymers Constructed by a Semi‐rigid Bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide and Dicarboxylates Mixed Ligands: Assembly,Structures and Properties

Three coordination polymers, namely [Co(BDC)( L )] · H₂O ( 1 ), [Co(NPH)( L )] · H₂O ( 2 ), and [Ni(NPH)( L )(H₂O)₃] · H₂O ( 3 ) [H₂BDC = 1, 3‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₂NPH = 3‐nitrophthalic acid, L = N,N′‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐terephthalamide] were hydrothermally synthesized by self‐assembly of cobalt/nickel chloride with a semi‐rigid bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide ligand and two aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that complexes 1 and 2 are two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers containing a one‐dimensional (1D) ribbon‐like Co‐dicarboxylate chain and a 1D zigzag Co‐ L chain. Although the coordination numbers of Co^II ions and the coordination modes of two dicarboxylates are different in complexes 1 and 2 , they have a similar 3, 5‐connected {4².6⁷.8}{4².6} topology. In complex 3 , the adjacent Ni^II ions are linked by L ligands to form a 1D polymeric chain, whereas the 1D chains does not extend into a higher‐dimensional structure due to the ligand NPH with monodentate coordination mode. The adjacent layers of complexes 1 and 2 and the adjacent chains of 3 are further linked by hydrogen bonding interactions to form 3D supramolecular networks. Moreover, the thermal stabilities, fluorescent properties, and photocatalytic activities of complexes 1 – 3 were studied.     

Self‐Assembly of a Highly Organized,Hexameric Supramolecular Architecture: Formation,Structure and Properties

Two derivatives, ³ L and ⁹ L , of a ditopic, multiply hydrogen‐bonding molecule, known for more than a decade, have been found, in the solid state as well as in solvents of low polarity at room temperature, to exist not as monomers, but to undergo a remarkable self‐assembly into a complex supramolecular species. The solid‐state molecular structure of ³ L , determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, revealed that it forms a highly organized hexameric entity ³ L ₆ with a capsular shape, resulting from the interlocking of two sets of three monomolecular components, linked through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The complicated ¹H NMR spectra observed in o‐dichlorobenzene (o‐DCB) for ³ L and ⁹ L are consistent with the presence of a hexamer of D₃ symmetry in both cases. DOSY measurements confirm the hexameric constitution in solution. In contrast, in a hydrogen‐bond‐disrupting solvent, such as DMSO, the ¹H NMR spectra are very simple and consistent with the presence of isolated monomers only. Extensive temperature‐dependent ¹H NMR studies in o‐DCB showed that the L ₆ species dissociated progressively into the monomeric unit on increasing th temperature, up to complete dissociation at about 90 °C. The coexistence of the hexamer and the monomer indicated that exchange was slow on the NMR timescale. Remarkably, no species other than hexamer and monomer were detected in the equilibrating mixtures. The relative amounts of each entity showed a reversible sigmoidal variation with temperature, indicating that the assembly proceeded with positive cooperativity. A full thermodynamic analysis has been applied to the data.