title: Expanding the gelation properties of valine-based 3,5-diaminobenzoate organogelators with N-alkylurea functionalities.
abstract: A new family of valine-containing 3,5-diaminobenzoate derivatives 2 with N-alkylurea moieties attached to the valine moieties was prepared. By appending these two new N-alkylurea chains to the molecular structure, their organogelating properties were extended from only aromatic solvents, to a wide range of other types of solvents such as alicyclic hydrocarbons, alcohols and polar solvents such as DMSO and DMF. It was also found that a longer N-alkylurea chain conferred improved gelation power and higher thermal stability as compared to those of the shorter ones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR. hfchow@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Hak-Fun
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Chin-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cheng