title: Probing gelation ability for a library of dipeptide gelators.
abstract: Functionalised dipeptides are a class of interesting and useful low molecular weight hydrogelators. Here, we report a significantly expanded library of materials, including dipeptides conjugated to carbazole, phenanthracene, anthracene, pyrene and substituted naphthalenes. We assess the effect of using two different gelation methods; a pH-switch and a solvent switch on the gelation behaviour and properties of the dipeptides. Importantly, we investigate the relationship between the structure of these dipeptides and their ability to form gels. From an analysis of the gelation ability of all these dipeptides, it is clear that those containing a phenylalanine as either of the constituent amino acids are much more likely to lead to a gelator being formed as opposed to using non-aromatic amino acids only.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK.
authors.forename: Salmah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awhida
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK.
authors.forename: Emily R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Draper
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK.
authors.forename: Tom O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, UK. Electronic address: d.j.adams@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dave J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D000873:Anthracenes / Q000737:chemistry; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000737:chemistry; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000737:chemistry; D019151:Peptide Library; D044367:Phase Transition; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D002227:Carbazoles; D004151:Dipeptides; D020100:Hydrogels; D009281:Naphthalenes; D019151:Peptide Library; D011721:Pyrenes; C041514:carbazole; C030984:pyrene
keywords: Fiber; Hydrogel; Low molecular weight gel; Peptide; Rheology; Supramolecular