Supramolecular gels for the remediation of reactive organophosphorus compounds

Abstract

Pyridine-based gels formed with a cyclohexyl diamide gelator have been shown to undergo a gel–sol transition upon addition of the organophosphorus (OP) chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP). This is due to a reaction between the gelator and DCP resulting in the disruption of the intermolecular hydrogen bonded gelator matrix and therefore the loss of gel stability. This selective phase change reliant on the presence of a reactive OP species provides a novel remediation and sensory method for this class of toxic compound.