title: Molecular design of "super" hydrogelators: understanding the gelation process of azobenzene-based sugar derivatives in water.
abstract: [structure: see text]. 1: R = beta-D-glucopyranoside. 2: R = alpha-D-glucopyranoside. 3: R = alpha-D-galactopyranoside. 4: R = alpha-D-mannopyranoside. As an attempt to rationally design aqueous organogelators, a bolaamphiphilic azobenzene derivative (1) bearing two sugar groups was synthesized. Compound 1 formed a gel in water even at concentrations as low as 0.05 wt % (0.65 mM). Spectroscopic studies and electron-micrographic observations have clarified the gel structure and the origin of the gelation ability for water.
authors.affiliation: Chemotransfiguration Project, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Aikawa, Kurume, Fukuoka 839-0861, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friggeri
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koumoto
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amaike
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shinkai
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Reinhoudt