Organogel from L-leucine-containing surfactant in nonpolar solvents

 Alkyl (S)-2-ammonium-2-isobutylacetate p-toluenesulfonate formed organogel in nonpolar solvents. The gels exhibited thermally reversible sol–gel phase transitions. UV spectroscopic study suggested that dodecyl (S)-2-ammonium-2-isobutylacetate p-toluenesulfonate forms reversed micelle-like aggregate at low concentration in a nonpolar solvent. Circular dichroism spec-troscopy indicated that component molecules of the reversed micelle-like aggregate are cooperatively organized and result in chiral aggregate. The huge fibrous aggregate responsible for gelation was observed with transmission electron microscopy. The accumulation and rearrangement of reversed micelle-like aggregate resulted in the formation of huge fibrous aggregates. A gathering of numerous fibrous aggregates formed the three-dimensional network to immobilize the isotropic liquid. Received: 24 June 1997 Accepted: 3 October 1997