A novel supramolecular organogel based on acylhydrazone functionalized pillar[5]arene acts as an I- responsive smart material.

A novel organic gelator (PZ) has been synthesized by rationally connecting a pillar[5]arene moiety and a bis(hexadecyloxy)phenyl functionalized acylhydrazone moiety. PZ could self-assemble into a supramolecular polymer and form a stable organogel (OPZ) in cyclohexanol by multi-self-assembly driving forces such as C-Hπ, ππ, vdW and hydrogen bonding interactions. The organogel (OPZ) shows blue aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Interestingly, the organogel OPZ could sense iodide ions (I-) in the gel-gel state with high selectivity and sensitivity. The detection limit of OPZ for I- is 9.4 × 10-8 M, indicating high sensitivity to I-. Furthermore, a thin film based on OPZ was prepared, which could be used as a smart material for the detection of I- as well as a fluorescent security display material.