Comparing molecular gelators and nongelators based on solubilities and solid-state interactions.
The relationship between molecular structure and gelation ability was investigated for a series of pyridine-based compounds. Nineteen compounds were synthesized and screened for gelation. Of these, eight were discovered to be gelators for a variety of organic solvent/water combinations. Solubility studies on the bulk powders revealed that gelators and nongelators are indistinguishable based on their room temperature solubilities. Likewise, X-ray diffraction experiments indicated that the presence (or absence) of 1D intermolecular interactions does not correlate with gelation ability. van't Hoff analyses of the temperature-dependent solubilities revealed that the majority of gelators have higher dissolution enthalpies and entropies than nongelators. In combination, these data suggest a complex relationship between molecular structure and gelation ability.
Chen
Jing
J
Department of Chemistry and Macromolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Kampf
Jeff W
JW
McNeil
Anne J
AJ
D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011725:Pyridines / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D005782:Gels; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D011725:Pyridines; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; C023666:pyridine