Two L-phenylalanine based compounds containing different alkyl chains (designated as 1 and 2) were synthesized and their gelation properties were examined. Gelation test showed that 2 with longer hydrocarbon chain functioned as better gelator than 1 with shorter hydrocarbon chain because of its lower critical gelation concentration (CGC) values in the most of solvents tested. The morphologies of some xerogels were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the molecular packing model of LMOGs in the organogel was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. FTIR analysis revealed that the van der Waals interaction between the alkyl chains and the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the amide groups and the carboxy groups should be an important driving force for the formation of the organogels. Interestingly, two compounds also showed phase-selective gelation of the solvents from their mixtures with water.

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