A family of low-molecular-weight organogelators based on N,N-diacyl-l-lysine: effect of alkyl chains on their organogelation behaviour

A family of low-molecular-weight organogelators based on N^α,N^?-diacyl-l-lysine was synthesized by acylation of N^?-dodecyl-l-lysine with acyl chlorides through the one-pot synthetic procedure and their organogelation properties were examined. These compounds functioned as an organogelator; especially, l-lysine derivatives possessing the branched alkyl groups are a better organogelation property. The NMR and IR studies demonstrate that the organogelation occurred through hydrogen bonding interactions between the amide groups and between the carboxy groups.