2,3-Di-n-alkoxyanthraquinones as gelators of organic solvents

The gelling ability of a series of dialkoxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivatives has been investigated in a number of organic solvents at different concentrations. The most efficient systems were found to be formed from the 2,3-dialkoxy (OCnH2n+1) derivatives with n = 8-11 (compounds 9-11 14-15). In ethanol, a gel is formed with 2,3-di-n-decyloxyanthraquinone (11) at a concentration of ca. 10(-2) M (0.65 g/100 g) at 30 degrees C. The gel-to-sol transition temperatures were determined in ethanol, isopropanol and n-heptane as a function of gelling agent concentration. The gel-to-sol transition enthalpies (23-51 kJ mol(-1)) were found to be in agreement with recent results obtained for other gel forming systems.