Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.302, No.2, 633-642, 2006
Structural variations in a family of orthodialkoxyarenes organogelators
A series of low mass organic gelators (LMOGS) 1 to 6 whose chemical structures have in common an orthodialkoxyarene feature was prepared in order to compare the shape of their fibrillar network as investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments. All members of the family exhibit a pronounced tendency to bundle formation by merging isolated fibers in extended packets of average diameter > 500 angstrom. Variations of the 2D packing symmetry are observed from hexagonal to square orderings with close derivatives of the reference member 2,3-didecyloxyanthracene (DDOA). Networks in which the fraction of isolated fibers is significant enough to allow for their SANS identification are those for 6,7-dichloro-2,3-didecyloxyanthracene (Cl(2)DDOA) and 2,3-dodecyloxy-9,10-anthraquinone (5). For this latter, the monodispersity of the cross-sections (thickness = 74 angstrom) is remarkable and the rectangular shape (bla similar to 0.12) accounts for a merging mechanism into anisotropic bundles (ribbons). (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.