Exploiting CH-pi interactions in supramolecular hydrogels of aromatic carbohydrate amphiphiles

A novel class of supramolecular hydrogels derived from amino sugars is reported, where the self-assembly of aromatic carbohydrate amphiphiles is driven by CH-pi interactions, rather than pi-pi stacking and H-bonding associated with gelators based on aromatic peptide amphiphiles. Spectroscopic data is provided as evidence for this mode of self-assembly and in silico studies revealed that a combination of CH-pi and T-stacking of the fluorenyl groups contribute to the formation of the aggregated structures.