Molecular design of "super" hydrogelators: understanding the gelation process of azobenzene-based sugar derivatives in water.

[structure: see text]. 1: R = beta-D-glucopyranoside. 2: R = alpha-D-glucopyranoside. 3: R = alpha-D-galactopyranoside. 4: R = alpha-D-mannopyranoside. As an attempt to rationally design aqueous organogelators, a bolaamphiphilic azobenzene derivative (1) bearing two sugar groups was synthesized. Compound 1 formed a gel in water even at concentrations as low as 0.05 wt % (0.65 mM). Spectroscopic studies and electron-micrographic observations have clarified the gel structure and the origin of the gelation ability for water.