Multistimuli responsive organogels based on a new gelator featuring tetrathiafulvalene and azobenzene groups: reversible tuning of the gel-sol transition by redox reactions and light irradiation.

For the development of multistimuli responsive organogels, the new organic gelator LMWG 1, featuring electroactive TTF and photoresponsive azobenzene groups, was designed and studied. By manipulating the redox state of the TTF group in LMWG 1, the gel-sol transition for organogels with the LMWG 1 can be reversibly tuned by either chemical or electrochemical oxidation/reduction reactions. Alternatively, the photoisomerization of the azobenzene group in LMWG 1 can also trigger the gel-sol transition. Therefore, organogels with LMWG 1 respond not only to thermal stimuli but also to redox reactions and light irradiation.