Supramolecular Synthons in Noncovalent Synthesis of a Class of Gelators Derived from Simple Organic Salts: Instant Gelation of Organic Fluids at Room Temperature via in Situ Synthesis of the Gelators

The supramolecular synthon approach has been employed to synthesize noncovalently a series of low molecular mass organic gelators (LMOGs) derived from benzylammonium salts of variously substituted benzoic acids. The majority of the salts (75%) prepared showed interesting gelation properties. Instant gelation of an organic fluid, namely methyl salicylate, was achieved at room temperature by using most of the gelator salts by in situ synthesis of the gelators. Table top rheology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the gels. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed the presence of both 1D and 2D supramolecular synthons. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) studies indicated the presence of various crystalline phases in the fibers of the xerogels. By using these data, a structure-property correlation has been attempted and the working hypothesis for designing the gelator has been reinforced.