A Highly Efficient Self-Assembly of Responsive C2-Cyclohexane-Derived Gelators

The rational design and synthesis of a family of effective low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) with a modular architecture based on a C2-1,4-diamide cyclohexane core are reported. Due to the high symmetry, the gelators are initially well distributed in solution and no trapped aggregates are formed before the assembly is triggered. The subsequent self-assembly process, which results in the formation of versatile gels, is highly efficient and can be triggered and tuned due to its remarkable dependence on the pH of solution. The assembly of different gelators is found to be closely related to the pKa of the corresponding functional substituents on the LMWGs. Primary cell culture experiments reveal that the hydrogels made under physiological conditions are promising as potential tailor-made microenvironments.