A Library of Multipurpose Supramolecular Supergelators: Fabrication of Structured Silica, Porous Plastics, and Fluorescent Gels. Issue 2 (20th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krishnan, Baiju P.; Sureshan, Kana M.
• Is Part Of: Chemistry, an Asian journal. Volume 13:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 187
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2017-12-20
• Subjects: click chemistry -- organogels -- polymers -- self-assembly -- silica; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201701657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1861-4728

Abstract

Abstract: Supramolecular gels find applications in various fields. Usually, a specific gelator is useful only for a specific application. This one‐gelator‐one‐application format is one factor that limits the usefulness of supramolecular gels. We report the synthesis of a library of gelators from a common core by using a click‐chemistry approach. Thus, the click reaction of β‐azido‐4, 6‐ O ‐benzylidene–galactopyranoside (1 ) with various alkynes gave 11 different gelators having varying gelation abilities. Whereas gelators having alkyl‐chain substituents congealed alkanes and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), the gelators having aromatic substituents congealed aromatic solvents. We exploited this difference in gelling behavior in the templated synthesis of silica rods and porous plastics. The styrene gel of gelator2 j was polymerized, and the gelator was removed by washing to obtain porous polystyrene. The TEOS gel of gelator2 b was polymerized to silica, and the gelator template was removed by calcination to give microstructured silica rods. We also developed fluorescent gelator2 f by this method, which might find applications by virtue of its fluorescence in the assembled state. Abstract : It gels : We report a library of functional carbohydrate‐based gelators obtained through a click‐chemistry approach. Through anomeric modification of the galactose core structure, their gelation abilities can be tuned. We demonstrate the possibility of various applications, namely, the synthesis of silica nanorods and the preparation of porous polymers. We also develop a fluorescent gel to prove the versatility of our approach.