Probing gelation at the molecular level: Head-to-tail hydrogen-bonded self-assembly of an inositol-based organogelator

A simple cyclitol derivative has been found to gelate many low-polar solvents. A detailed molecular level investigation demonstrated that the intermolecular head-to-tail hydrogen bond plays a key role in the self-assembly of the monomers to generate supramolecular polymeric fibres. Such self-assembled oligomeric forms could be detected even in a competing protic solvent. Control experiments further established that optimally oriented hydroxy groups and chirality are the crucial factors for the gelation.