One- and Two-Component Organogels Containing Cyanostilbene without any Auxiliary Substituents

Abstract

Pyridyl acrylonitrile without traditional auxiliary groups form stable organogels in ethanol. The addition of a second non-gelating cyanostilbene component results in a more stable two-component gel. Single crystal X-ray data reveal the influence of C−H⋅ ⋅ ⋅N, C−H⋅ ⋅ ⋅π, and π–π interactions in the formation of organogels. The morphology of the xerogels was studied by using SEM, which showed the self-assembly of molecules to fibers and sheet-like structures, and phase differences upon the gel formation and the structural phase characterization was measured using powder XRD. Exposure of the organogels to acidic (TFA) vapors results in distinct color changes and loss of gelation properties, thus highlighting the potential of these gels in sensing. The results represent a rare example of two-component organogels using two different cyanostilbene units and show that functional two-component organogels can be formed by utilizing the synergistic effects of the individual components.