Sugar-Based Phase-Selective Supramolecular Self-Assembly System for Dye Removal and Selective Detection of Cu²⁺ Ions

Abstract

Simple, effective, and eco-friendly sugar-based phase-selective gelators were synthesized at a low cost. They showed high gelling ability toward a wide range of solvents at lower concentrations (minimum gelation concentration ∼0.3%). Preliminary tests reveal that these low molecular weight organogelators can immediately and phase-selectively gel benzene, toluene, petrol, and kerosene in water at room temperature. We also identified G13 in toluene as the good gelator, and the corresponding organogel proficiently removes water-soluble dyes from their concentrated aqueous solutions. This efficient removal of toxic organic solvents and dyes from water suggests promising applications in removing organic substances from contaminated water resources. The thermoreversible gel exhibits effective rechargeability up to five cycles of burning and gelation, which imply the flame stability of the gel. Interestingly, these compounds had a high detection ability toward Cu2+ ions with a state change from gel to the solution. The physical justification for gelation mechanisms and the molecular interaction with metal ions were further confirmed by computational studies.

Recent advances in carbohydrate-based gelators

“…copper metal ions with a state change from gel to solution 129 Gel-sol transformation takes place due to high stability of [Cu(G13)] complex formation.…”

Inorganic Subnanometer Nanowire-Based Organogels: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…Alkyl-substituted N-glycosylamines (G8− G13) are synthesized through the process shown in Figure 4a. 24 G13 shows excellent gelation ability for aromatic and aliphatic solvents, forming gels which are stable at room temperature for more than one month. These gels are not only temperatureresponsive but also sensitive to Cu ions (Figure 4b).…”

“…Carbohydrates are nontoxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, inexpensive, eco-friendly, and derived from abundant renewable resources, which are promising candidates for organo-gelators. Alkyl-substituted N -glycosylamines (G8–G13) are synthesized through the process shown in Figure a . G13 shows excellent gelation ability for aromatic and aliphatic solvents, forming gels which are stable at room temperature for more than one month.…”

“…Hex represents hexane, and NSAIDs represents nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Reproduced from refs (copyright 2022 American Chemical Society) and (copyright 2016 American Chemical Society).…”

Synthesis of Aryl Azobenzene-Based Sugar Derivatives for Organogelators and the Colorimetric Detection of Cu2+ Metal Ions

“…Supramolecular gels derived from low-molecular-weight organogelators (LMOGs) have attracted much attention in recent years, and this is due to a wide range of potential applications, − including drug delivery, the fabrication of material devices, molecular sensors, water purification, dye absorption, , and oil spill recovery . LMOGs are also known as discrete soft materials, and they self-assemble through non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, van der Waals forces, charge-transfer interactions, solvophobic interactions, and electrostatic interactions .…”