Synthesis and Properties of Amphiphilic Photoresponsive Gelators for Aromatic Solvents

A sugar-based photoresponsive supergelator, N-glycosylazobenzene that shows selective gelation of aromatic solvents is described. The partial trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety allows photoinduced chopping of the entangled gel fibers to short fibers, resulting in controlled fiber length and gel-sol transition. The gelator is useful for the selective removal of toxic aromatic solvents from water.