The role of protecting groups in the formation of organogels through a nano-fibrillar network formed by self-assembling terminally protected tripeptides

A series of eight synthetic self-assembling terminally blocked tripeptides have been studied for gelation. Some of them form gels in various aromatic solvents including benzene, toluene, xylene, and chlorobenzene. It has been found that the protecting groups play an important role in the formation of organogels. It has been observed that, if the C-terminal has been changed from methyl ester to ethyl ester the gelation property does not change significantly (keeping the N-terminal protecting group same), while the change of the protecting group from ethyl ester to isopropyl ester completely abolishes the gelation property. Similarly, keeping the identical C-terminal protecting group (methyl ester) the results of the gelation study indicate that the substitution of N-terminal protection Boc- (tert-butyloxycarbonyl) to Cbz- (benzyloxycarbonyl) does change the gelation property insignificantly, while the change from Boc- to pivaloyl (Piv-) or acetyl (Ac-) group completely eliminates the gelation property. Morphological studies of the dried gels of two of the peptides indicate the presence of an entangled nano-fibrillar network that might be responsible for gelation. FTIR studies of the gels demonstrate that an intermolecular hydrogen bonding network is formed during gelation. Results of X-ray powder diffraction studies for these gelator peptides in different states (dried gels, gel, and bulk solids) reflected that the structure in the wet gel is distinctly different from the dried gel and solid state structures. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of a non-gelator peptide, which is structurally similar to the gelator molecules reveal that the peptide forms an antiparallel β-sheet structure in crystals.     

A Systematic Study of Peripherally Multiple Aromatic Ester‐Functionalized Poly(benzyl ether) Dendrons for the Fabrication of Organogels: Structure–Property Relationships and Thixotropic Property

A new class of peripherally multiple aromatic ester‐functionalized poly(benzyl ether) dendrons and/or dendrimers with different focal point substituents, surface groups, interior structures, as well as different generations have been synthesized and their structure–property relationships with respect to their gelation ability have been investigated systematically. Most of these dendrons are able to gel organic solvents over a wide polarity range. Evident dendritic effects were observed not only in gelation capability but also in thermotropic, morphological, and rheological characterizations. It was disclosed that subtle changes in peripheral ester functionalities and interior dendritic structures affected the gelation behavior of the dendrons significantly. Among all the dendrons studied, the second‐ and third‐generation dendrons G₀G₂‐Me and G₀G₃‐Me with dimethyl isophthalates (DMIP) as peripheral groups exhibited the best capability in gelation, and stable gels were formed in more than 22 aromatic and polar organic solvents. The lowest critical gelation concentration (CGC) reached 2.0 mg mL^?1, indicating that approximately 1.35×10⁴ solvent molecules could be entrapped by one dendritic molecule. Further study on driving forces in gel formation was carried out by using a combination of single‐crystal/powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and concentration‐dependent (CD)/temperature‐dependent (TD) ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The results obtained from these experiments revealed that the multiple π–π stacking of extended π‐systems due to the peripheral DMIP rings, cooperatively assisted by non‐conventional hydrogen‐bonding, is the key contributor in the formation of the highly ordered supramolecular and fibrillar network. In addition, these dendritic organogels exhibited unexpected thixotropic‐responsive properties, which make them promising candidates with potential applications in the field of intelligent soft materials.     

不同酯基结构的棕榈油生物柴油的性能研究

以棕榈油为研究对象,分别与甲醇、乙醇、异丙醇和异丁醇进行酯交换反应制备了不同酯基结构的生物柴油。利用差示扫描量热仪和应力控制流变仪分析了不同酯基结构棕榈油生物柴油的结晶行为和低温流变性能,同时分析了酯基结构对生物柴油的氧化稳定性,40℃时的动力黏度、20℃时的密度等重要性质的影响。结果表明,随着醇的碳链长度的增加,棕榈油生物柴油的析蜡点和胶凝点均降低,特别是棕榈油异丁酯的析蜡点和胶凝点分别降低到了-2.57和-8.09℃,低温流动性得到了明显改善,且氧化诱导期略有延长,氧化稳定性有所改善。生物柴油的密度和黏度随着酯基结构的不同而有所变化,但其数值都符合中国生物柴油标准。     

A favorable, narrow, δ(h) Hansen-parameter domain for gelation of low-molecular-weight amino acid derivatives

In recent years, the design of new low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) has attracted considerable attention because of the interesting supramolecular architectures as well as industrial applications. In this context, the role of the organic solvent in determining the organogelation behavior is a central question. Herein we report the results of a systematic study of the organogelation behavior of amino acid derivatives in a wide range of solvents to establish a relationship between the nature of the solvent and the formation of the gel. We highlight that the majority of the gelified solvents are aromatic, except for carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene. In addition, different parameters related to the nature of the solvent were considered and their influence on the physical properties of gelation was evaluated. The hydrogen-bonding Hansen parameter (δ(h)) allows us to draw a narrow favorable δ(h) domain for gelation in the range of 0.2-1.4 (cal cm(-3))(1/2). Furthermore, a general increase of the Hildebrand parameter (δ) leads to the formation of poor gels (small gelation numbers, GNs) in aromatic solvents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the gels prepared from (l)-phenylalanine and (l)-leucine derivatives in different solvents are composed of an entangled 3D fibrillar network, the diameter of which is only slightly influenced by the nature of the solvent.     

Noncovalent Macromolecular Architectures of Oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s (OPVs): Role of End Functional Groups on the Gelation of Organic Solvents

Summary: Self-assembly of a few OPV derivatives having different end functional groups to aggregates, fibrous networks and organogels are discussed. OPV1 and OPV2 functionalized with ester moieties form gels in nonpolar hydrocarbon solvents whereas OPV3 with carboxylic acid groups form gel from THF and dichloromethane. OPV4 with dicyano moieties form aggregates but could not gelate solvents. AFM and TEM studies revealed considerable difference in the morphology of the self-assembled structures of OPV1-4 . From the optical, morphological and gelation data it is concluded that the nature of the end functional groups strongly influences upon the self-assembly and gelation properties of OPVs.     

Fine‐Tuning of Saponification‐Triggered Gelation by Strategic Modification of Peripheral Substituents: Gelation Regulators

A pioneering approach towards controlling the efficiency of saponification assisted gelation in ethyl ester based Zn^II‐complexes have been described. Using four new ester containing bis‐salen Zn^II complexes ( C1–C4 ) involving different para‐azo phenyl substituted ligands it has been clearly shown that gelation efficiency is greatly influenced by the electronic effects of the substituents (‐H ( C1 ), ‐CH₃ ( C2 ), ‐NO₂ ( C3 ), and ‐OCH₃ ( C4 )). Morphological, photophysical, and rheological investigations corroborated the experimental observations well and established that gelation efficiency was enhanced with electron‐withdrawing characteristics of substituents ( C4 < C2 < C1 < C3 ). This conclusion was also supported by DFT studies.     

The Effect of the Side Chain on Gelation Properties of Bile Acid Alkyl Amides

Six bile acid alkyl amide derivatives were studied with respect to their gelation properties. The derivatives were composed of three different bile acids with hexyl or cyclohexyl side chains. The gelation behaviour of all six compounds were studied for 36 solvents with varying polarities. Gelation was observed mainly in aromatic solvents, which is characteristic for bile-acid-based low molecular weight gelators. Out of 108 bile acid-solvent combinations, a total of 44 gel systems were formed, 28 of which from lithocholic acid derivatives, only two from deoxycholic acid derivatives, and 14 from cholic acid derivatives. The majority of the gel systems were formed from bile acids with hexyl side chains, contrary to the cyclohexyl group, which seems to be a poor gelation moiety. These results indicate that the spatial demand of the side chain is the key feature for the gelation properties of the bile acid amides.     

A sulfonated calix[4]resorcinarene with l-pipecolinic acid groups as a water-soluble chiral NMR solvating agent

A water-soluble calix[4]resorcinarene containing l-pipecolinic acid groups is investigated as a chiral NMR solvating agent for aromatic-containing substrates. The substrates form complexes by insertion of the aromatic ring into the cavity of calix[4]resorcinarene. Compounds with phenyl, naphthyl, indole, indoline and pyridyl rings were investigated. The substrates also have ammonium or carboxylate functional groups. The effectiveness of the calix[4]resorcinarene with l-pipecolinic acid groups is compared to similar reagents with proline, hydroxyproline, and α-methylproline moieties that have previously been reported. The derivative with l-pipecolinic acid usually produces better enantiomeric discrimination compared to previous calix[4]resorcinarene reagents.     

Synthesis and gelation properties of a new class of α-amino acid-based sector block dendrons

A new series of α-amino acid-based sector block dendrons containing alanine, phenylalanine, and valine dendritic sectors was prepared by a solution phase peptide coupling methodology. The structures of the dendrons were fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy and by optical polarimetry, and their purities were determined by size exclusion chromatography. Some of the dendrons, especially those containing phenylalanine residues, were found to form strong physical gels with aromatic solvents. The gelation mechanism was further investigated by infra-red and circular dichroism spectroscopy. It was found that both inter-molecular hydrogen bonding and aromatic π-π stacking interactions were the main driving forces for gelation.     

Preparation of polysiloxanes from silicic acid. V. Condensation of silicic acid butyl esters and formation of silica fiber from the ester solutions

The condensation of silicic acid butyl esters was investigated by gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) analysis. The results revealed that the condensation was greatly dependent on a degree of esterification of the esters. The ester with the lowest degree of esterification underwent condensation to form a highly polymerized ester. It was found that fibers could be drawn from the ester solution before gelation.     

Structural diversity of alpha-amino acid based layer-block dendrons and their layer-block sequence-dependent gelation properties

A library of G1-G3 alpha-amino acid based layer-block dendrons 1-6 containing different amino acid residues in the different concentric layers was prepared by solution-phase peptide synthesis. The structures of these dendrons were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and, except for the G3 series of compounds, by mass spectrometry. The purities of these compounds were also determined by size-exclusion chromatography. Owing to the presence of a large number of amide groups, these dendrons exhibit unusually strong self-aggregating properties in both polar and nonpolar solvents. Some of these dendrons are found to be extremely good organogelators towards aromatic solvents with minimum gel concentrations approaching 4 mg mL(-1). Their gelation ability is found to be highly dependent on the nature of the amino acid compositions, the amino acid layer-block sequence within the dendritic architecture and the nature of the focal-point functionality. IR spectroscopic analysis indicates that gelation is induced by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Circular dichroism studies suggest the formation of hierarchical chiral structures in the gel state, although the existence of chiral morphologies could not be observed by scanning electron microscopy.     

New synthetic route to alternating copoly(aromatic ester–aliphatic amide)s

The preparation of three novel alternating copoly(aromatic ester–aliphatic amide)s containing the same ordered amide–amide–ester–ester (AAEE), the same para-disubstituted phenyl, and the different long methylene chain structure were described. 1,1′-(Adipoyl)bisbenzotriazole (AdBBT), 1,1′-(suberoyl)bisbenzotriazole (SuBBT), and 1,1′-(sebacoyl)bisbenzotriazole (SeBBT) were synthesized. These diacylbenzotriazoles were preferred to aminoethanol at the amino group because of the selective N-acylation of active acylamide of benzotriazole in excellent yield at room temperature to give diol monomers such as N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)adipic amide (HEAdA), N,N′-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)subaric amide (HESuA), and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)sebacic amide (HESeA). Polycondensation of 1,1′-(teraphthaloyl)bisbenzotrizole (tPBT) with HEAdA, HESuA, and HESeA gave the corresponding alternating copoly(aromatic ester–aliphatic amide)s: P(tPE–AdA), P(tPE–SuA), and P(tPE–SeA), respectively. The alternating copoly(aromatic ester–aliphatic amide)s were characterized by ¹H-NMR spectra. The resulting polymers have two different chain units; one is chain unit of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and the other is a chain unit of polyamide-2,6, polyamide-2,8, and polyamide-2,10; both are linked via a C? N bond.     

Two-component organogelators: combination of Nε-alkanoyl-L-lysine with various N-alkanoyl-L-amino acids: additional level of hierarchical control

Synthesis of two-component organogelation system was performed very easy and concise manner from N^ε-palmitoyl-L-lysine ethyl ester and N^ε-miristoyl-L-lysine ethyl ester in which they were used as base component and N-lauroyl-L-amino acids (amino acids:, alanine, leucine and phenylalanine as acid components.). And their organogelation properties were examined in different pharmaceutical fluids such as liquid paraffin, fatty acid ethyl, and isopropyl esters. In this way, gelation efficiency was ascertained variations of alkanoyl moieties and combination of different amino acids in the gelator structures. Characterization of gelators was performed via thermal measurement such as Tg and gel–sol enthalpy change; SEM and FTIR as optical methods.     

Enhanced gelation property due to intra-molecular hydrogen bonding in a new series of bis(amino acid)-functionalized pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide organogelators

A series of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide derivatives containing two α-amino acid pendant groups was prepared and characterized. Three of the synthesized compounds obtained from this series, all having aromatic amino acid side chains, were found to be excellent organogelators toward aromatic solvents (mgc∼10-20 mg/mL), alcoholic solvents (mgc∼4-15 mg/mL), and CCl₄ (mgc∼4-10 mg/mL). It was found that the intra-molecular hydrogen bonds between the pyridine dicarboxamide N-Hs and the pyridine N atom were the key structural elements for gel formation. This series of compounds represented one of the rare examples where both inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds were needed for effective gel formation. FTIR, ¹H NMR, and CD spectroscopy revealed that both hydrogen bonding and π-π aromatic stacking were the driving forces for gelation.     

Anionic cyclizations of aromatic ester dithioacetals with facially biased α,β-unsaturated ketones

Cyclopent-2-enones bearing a plane-nonsymmetric oxygen function on C-4 reacted efficiently with anions derived from aromatic ester dithioacetals to provide annulated products in a highly diastereoselective fashion. Whereas the anion of a dimethoxy aromatic ester dithiolane more rapidly reacted by an alternative intramolecular pathway, the anion of the corresponding aromatic ester dithiane was suitable for the intermolecular cyclization.     

Studies on a novel class of triaryl pyridine N-glycosylamine amphiphiles as super gelators

A novel class of six different triaryl pyridine N-glycosylamine amphiphiles was synthesised and characterized based on different spectral techniques, such as NMR and mass analysis. Gelation properties in different aromatic and aliphatic solvents were studied and gelation was observed predominantly in aliphatic solvents with CGC of 0.5% (w/v) and is attributed to the presence of long alkyl chain. All the gels thus obtained were studied using FE-SEM and powder XRD techniques which reveal fibrous entanglement of the molecules in the gel state with intermolecular spaces of 3.62 nm and 0.43 nm.     

Exciplex and excimer molecular probes: detection of conformational flip in a myo-inositol chair

2-O-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-4,6-bis-O-pyrenoyl-myo-inositol-1,3,5-orthoformate (6) and 2-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-4-O-[4-(dimethylamino)benzoyl]-6-O-pyrenoyl-myo-inositol-1,3,5-orthoacetate (10) adopt conformationally restricted unstable chairs with five axial substituents. In the symmetrical diester 6, the two pi-stacked pyrenoyl groups are electron acceptor-donor partners, giving a strong intramolecular excimer emission. In the mixed ester 10, the pyrenoyl group is the electron acceptor and the 4-(dimethylamino)benzoyl ester is the electron donor, giving a strong intramolecular exciplex emission. The conformation of the mixed ester 10 was assessed using 1H NMR spectroscopy (1H-NOESY) and computational studies. which showed the minimum inter-centroid distance between the two aromatic systems to be approximately 3.9 A. Upon addition of acid, the orthoformate/orthoacetate trigger in 6 and 10 was cleaved, which caused a switch of the conformation of the myo-inositol ring to the more stable penta-equatorial chair, leading to separation of the aromatic ester groups and loss of excimer and exciplex fluorescence, respectively. This study provides proof of principle for the development of novel fluorescent molecular probes.     

Homogeneous ion-exchange membranes of improved flexibility

Poly(styrenesulfonic acid) ion-exchange membranes having various degrees of porosity and flexibility have been prepared by using aliphatic and aromatic esters of p-styrenesulfonic acid. The membranes formed from the aliphatic ester monomers were found to exhibit an increase in water uptake, permeability, and flexibility with increase in the size of the alcohol group of the ester monomer. With membranes formed from the phenyl and β-naphthyl ester monomers the reverse trend was indicated. The flexibility of the membranes formed from the aromatic ester monomers was much greater than that obtained with the aliphatic esters.     

Self‐Assembly of a Chiral Lipid Gelator Controlled by Solvent and Speed of Gelation

Glutamine derivative 1 with two‐photon absorbing units has been synthesized and was found to show gelation ability in some solvents. Its self‐assembly in the gel phase could be controlled by the solvent and speed of gelation. For example, in DMSO the organogelator self‐assembled into H‐aggregates with weak exciton coupling between the aromatic moieties. On the other hand, in DMSO/diphenyl ether (1:9, v/v) the molecules formed 1D aggregates, but with strong exciton coupling due to the small distance between the chromophores. Moreover, the formation of these two kinds of aggregates could be adjusted by the ratio of DMSO to diphenyl ether. In DMSO/toluene, DMSO/butanol, DMSO/butyl acetate, and DMSO/acetic acid systems similar results were observed. Therefore, conversion of the packing model occurs irrespective of the nature of the solvent. Notably, a unique sign inversion in the CD spectra could be realized by controlling the speed of gelation in the DMSO/diphenyl ether (1:9, v/v) system. It was found that a low speed of gelation induces the gelator to adopt a packing model with strong π–π interactions between the aromatic units. Moreover, the gels, when excited at 800 nm, emit strong green fluorescence and the quantum chemical calculations suggest that intramolecular charge transfer leads to two‐photon absorption of the gelator molecule.     

Dipeptide-based low-molecular-weight efficient organogelators and their application in water purification

The development of new low-molecular-weight gelators for organic solvents is motivated by several potential applications of gels as advanced functional materials. In the present study, we developed simple dipeptide-based organogelators with a minimum gelation concentration (MGC) of 6-0.15 %, w/v in aromatic solvents. The organogelators were synthesized using different L-amino acids with nonpolar aliphatic/aromatic residues and by varying alkyl-chain length (C-12 to C-16). The self-aggregation behavior of these thermoreversible organogels was investigated through several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. A balanced participation of the hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions is crucial for efficient organogelation, which can be largely modulated by the structural modification at the hydrogen-bonding unit as well as by varying the alkyl-chain length in both sides of the hydrophilic residue. Interestingly, these organogelators could selectively gelate aromatic solvents from their mixtures with water. Furthermore, the xerogels prepared from the organogels showed a striking property of adsorbing dyes such as crystal violet, rhodamine 6G from water. This dye-adsorption ability of gelators can be utilized in water purification by removing toxic dyes from wastewater.