Supramolecular Gels Derived from the Salts of Variously Substituted Phenylacetic Acid and Dicyclohexylamine: Design, Synthesis, Structures, and Dye Adsorption

• Published in: Chemistry, an Asian journal Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. 552 - 559
• Main Authors: Roy, Rajdip, Adalder, Tapas Kumar, Dastidar, Parthasarathi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 02.03.2018
• Subjects: adsorption; Chemistry; Correlation analysis; crystal engineering; Crystal structure; Dimethyl sulfoxide; Dyes; Gelation; Gels; High resolution electron microscopy; Organic salts; Phenylacetic acid; Rheological properties; Rheology; substituent effects; Substitutes; supramolecular chemistry; Supramolecular compounds
• ISSN: 1861-4728; 1861-471X
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201701632

A well‐studied supramolecular synthon, namely, secondary ammonium monocarboxylate (SAM), was exploited to generate a new series of organic salts derived from variously substituted phenylacetic acid and dicyclohexylamine as potential low‐molecular‐weight gelators. As much as 25 % of the SAM salts under study were gelators. The gels were characterized by rheology, and the morphology of the gel networks was studied by high‐resolution electron microscopy. Single‐crystal and powder XRD data were employed to study structure–property (gelation) correlations. One of the gels could adsorb a hydrophobic dye (Nile Red) more efficiently than that of a hydrophilic dye (Calcein) from dimethyl sulfoxide; this might provide useful clues towards the development of stain‐removing gels. Gel asSAMbly for dye absorption: A well‐studied supramolecular synthon, namely, secondary ammonium monocarboxylate (SAM), has been exploited to generate a new series of organic salts derived from variously substituted phenylacetic acid and dicyclohexylamine as low‐molecular‐weight gelators. Efficient adsorption of a hydrophobic dye (Nile Red) by using one such gel was achieved (see figure).