“…We have been successful in identifying the role of various nonbonding interactions in gel formation by comparing the molecular assembly in crystalline and gel/dried gel states [ 30 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Although, the xerogel does not represent the exact structure of the gel state since the drying process can lead to a morphological change or phase transition [ 46 ], this approach is still recognized as the most useful strategy to unravel the self-assembly of a gelator [ 3 , 7 , 29 , 30 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. The self-assembly of L 1 and L 2 in the gel state was correlated with respective crystal structures by comparing the powder X-ray pattern of the bulk crystals and dried gels with the crystal structure.…”