Structure-function relationships in a new class of bisurea organogelators with ester tails were studied by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).  The number of carbons before and after the ester linkage was varied as was whether the ester group served as a branch point. This study seeks to better understand the relationship between organogelator molecular structure and overall gel organization. Organogels have potential application in the production of paint and cosmetics, in the transportation of fuel, and in medication. Solid organogelator was dissolved in benzene, and spectra were acquired in the IR using a liquid cell with sodium chloride windows. The amide region was used to determine the relative amount of hydrogen bonding, and the methylene bending region was used to determine the relative amount of conformational deformations in the alkyl tails. The carbonyl stretch due to the ester was also examined to determine the extent of any dipole interactions in which it was involved.  It was found that only molecules with branch points formed gels and that molecules with longer tails gelled at lower concentrations. There was also considerable evidence of dipole interactions between the carbonyls in the esters with themselves or with the ureas.

Using infrared spectroscopy to examine structure-function relationships in a new class of bisurea organogelaoters with branched ester tails

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.