Influence of an odd-even relationship on the aggregation modes of "gemini"-type cholesterol-based gelators and their transcription into silica gel

Four "gemini"-type cholesterol-based gelators 1(n) were synthesized. They acted as versatile gelators of organic fluids. The xerogels show lamellar structures for 1(2) and 1(4) and fiber structures for 1(3) and 1(5) according to the even or odd number of alkyl chains between two nitrogens. The difference in these organogel supramolecular structures has successfully been transcribed into the silica structures by sol-gel polymerization of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). These results indicate that the novel silica structures can be created by transcription of various superstructures in organogels as a template through the hydrogen-bonding interaction.