Amphiphilic oligoamides as versatile, acid-responsive gelators

Six oligoamides with the same backbone but different side and end chains, G1-G6, were designed and synthesized. Screening the gelating abilities of these oligoamides revealed G2 as a versatile gelator capable of forming stable hydrogels as well as several organogels. From UV, fluorescence, NMR, and SEM studies, the formation of hydrogels is driven by hydrophobic forces and π-π stacking while the gelation of nonpolar organic solvents relies on hydrogen-bonding interactions. The hydrogel of G2 is able to encapsulate and release medicinally important polar substances into water with acid-responsiveness.