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The poor solubility of ureidopyrimidone can be used to form gels of low molecular weight N-alkyl urea oligomers in organic solvents

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Abstract

A synthesis strategy for low molecular weight organogelators using the ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) group is reported. The prepared gelators showed robust thermal reversible gelation abilities in various solvents, including dimethyl sulfoxide. The morphology of the dried gels was determined using scanning electron microscopy, revealing a macroscopic porous structure of the gels. Rheology was performed to determine storage (G′) and loss modulus (G″) confirming network gel structures.

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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgment is made to the donors of the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (51850-DN17) and The University of Cincinnati for support of this research for N.A. and X.C. P.F. and K.A.C. thank The National Science Foundation (NSF-CHE 1012237).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, The University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210172, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA

    Xiaoping Chen, Wenwen Yang & Neil Ayres

  2. Department of Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA

    Pengzhan Fei & Kevin A. Cavicchi

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  1. Xiaoping Chen
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  2. Pengzhan Fei
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  3. Kevin A. Cavicchi
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  4. Wenwen Yang
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  5. Neil Ayres
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Correspondence to Neil Ayres.

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Chen, X., Fei, P., Cavicchi, K.A. et al. The poor solubility of ureidopyrimidone can be used to form gels of low molecular weight N-alkyl urea oligomers in organic solvents. Colloid Polym Sci 292, 477–484 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-013-3087-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-013-3087-6

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