Synthesis and Self-assembling of Coumarin-based Low-molecular Weight Organogelators

Four coumarin derivatives(4a-4d) with different alkoxy chains were synthesized.It was found that compound 4d showed a better gelation ability than the other compounds,for example,it could self-assemble into organogeis in various organic fluids via ultrasound treatment or heating-cooling process,whereas compound 4c could only gel in a few mixed solvents and compounds 4a,4b could not form organogel.The results from fluorescent and F%IR spectra indicate that π-π interaction had an effect on the formation of the organogels of compound 4d besides H-bonding and van der Waals interaction,which were the driving forces for the self-assembling of compound 4c in gel state.The gel of compound 4d in toluene could emit strong fluorescence under UV irradiation and the 2+2]cyclo-addition was suggested by 1H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy.This light-sensitive organogel might find application in optical materials.