title: Self-assembled metallogels formed from N,N',N''-tris(4-pyridyl)trimesic amide in aqueous solution induced by Fe(III)/Fe(II) ions.
abstract: In this work, we report self-assembled metallogels formed from a ligand of trimesic amide, N,N',N''-tris(4-pyridyl)trimesic amide (TPTA), induced by Fe(III)/Fe(II) ions. TPTA is difficult to dissolve in water even in the presence of some metal ions such as Cu(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), K(+), Na(+) and Mg(2+) under heating, and it exhibits no gelation ability. Interestingly, upon heating TPTA can be dissolved easily in aqueous solution containing Fe(3+)/Fe(2+), and subsequently self-assembled into metallogels after cooling. The metallogels could also be formed in aqueous solutions of mixed metal ions containing Fe(3+)/Fe(2+), indicating that the other metal ions do not affect the formation of Fe(III)-TPTA and Fe(II)-TPTA metallogels. The high selectivity of metallogel formation to Fe(3+)/Fe(2+) may be used for application in the test of Fe(3+)/Fe(2+). The metallogels obtained are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, rheological measurements and scanning tunneling microscopy. The results indicate that TPTA can self-assemble into fibrous aggregates in Fe(3+)/Fe(2+) aqueous solution through the metal-ligand interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. This kind of metallogel also possesses good mechanical properties and thermoreversibility.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China. nzhang.ncu@163.com and Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, 341000, China. zhong.luo-supermolecule@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Jin-Lian
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, 341000, China. zhong.luo-supermolecule@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Xin-Jian
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, 341000, China. zhong.luo-supermolecule@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Hui-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Organo-Pharmaceutical Chemistry of Jiangxi Province, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, 341000, China. zhong.luo-supermolecule@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Xu-Zhong
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China. nzhang.ncu@163.com.
authors.forename: San-Guo
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China. nzhang.ncu@163.com.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China. jbhuang@pku.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jian-Bin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry; D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001549:Benzamides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014233:Tricarboxylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000631:Aminopyridines; D001549:Benzamides; D005782:Gels; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D014233:Tricarboxylic Acids; D007501:Iron; C069849:trimesic acid