Pyrene derived functionalized low molecular weight organic gelators and gels

Abstract

Pyrene derived binary functionalized low molecular weight organic gelators (FLMOGs) and gels thereof in selected organic solvents were synthesized and characterized. The functionality refers to a functional group that does not take part in formation of the supramolecular gel network, but remains free and available for other purposes, such as to bind nanoparticles or other molecules into the gel structure.

Functional groups were observed to disturb gel formation strongly, if they interact with each other within the same supramolecule due to the formation of competitive structures. Preventing such interactions restored the original gel properties. A gel with weaker supramolecular bonding than the binding between the functional groups was successfully made by separating the functional groups by distance. The π–π-interaction was found to be of negligible significance to the supramolecular binding energy, but probably essential to align the molecules to a one-dimensional chain and bring them into the range of van der Waals forces mainly responsible for the binding in this system. Solvent was observed to increase the binding energy of the supramolecule.

All molecules were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. Selected gels were characterized with rheometry, scanning electron microscopy, UV- and fluorescence spectroscopy. Gelation kinetics and hysteresis were measured by UV-spectroscopy and a fast gelation process was observed for all the gelators studied. The melting enthalpies were measured by DSC and calculated theoretically by PM3 level of theory.