Insights into a novel class of azobenzenes incorporating 4,6--protected sugars as photo-responsive organogelators.

A novel class of 4,6--butylidene/ethylidene/benzylidene β-d-glucopyranose gelator functionalized with photo-responsive azobenzene moieties were designed and synthesized and also characterized using different spectral techniques. These azobenzene-based organogelators can gel even at lower concentrations (critical gelation concentration - 0.5% and 1%). A morphological study of the gels shows one-dimensional aggregated bundles and helical fibres. The main driving force for the self-assembly is through cooperative interactions exhibited by the different groups , sugar hydroxyl (hydrogen bonding interaction), azobenzene (aromatic π-π interaction) and alkyl chain of the protecting group (van der Waals interaction).