Jinrong Lu

A New Dual-Responsive Organogel Based on Uracil-Appended Glycyrrhetinic Acid

A novel functional tweezer based on uracil-appended glycyrrhetinic acid with excellent gelation ability was synthesized, and the gel could transform to sol by F(-) and Hg(2+).

Tuning the aggregation mode to induce different chiralities in organogels of mono- and bis-triterpenoid derivatives and the preparation of gold nanoparticles for use as a template

New gelators, based on chiral triterpenoids linked with aromatic rings and amide structures, were designed and synthesized. Different chiral properties of assembly of the organogels were observed and these were expressed by different close degrees of molecular packing, which were attributed to the formation of H-type aggregates in the monotriterpenoid and of J-type aggregates in the bis-triterpenoid derivatives. The nanofibers of the organogel in dimethylsulfoxide were used to engineer gold nanoparticles and generate gel–nanoparticle hybrid materials.

Organogels of triterpenoid–tripeptide conjugates: encapsulation of dye molecules and basicity increase associated with aggregation

Two triterpenoid–peptide conjugates containing oleanolic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid were synthesized and the properties of self-assembly into organogels were studied systematically. The results showed that the xerogels could selectively adsorb dyes from water and it could be utilized in water purification by removing toxic dyes. In addition, the formation of supramolecular gels was associated to basicity increase by employing pH-indicator dyes in water.

Self-assembly of sodium glycyrrhetinate into a hydrogel: characterisation and properties

Sodium glycyrrhetinate, a simple triterpenoid derivative, was found to form a hydrogel with dipole–dipole interaction of sodium carboxylates as the main driving force. The hydrogel showed properties in selective dye adsorption and sustainable release.

Synthesis and self-assembly properties of a glycyrrhetinic acid conjugate containing uracil and 2,6-diaminopyridine units

A novel glycyrrhetinic acid conjugate containing uracil and 2,6-diaminopyridine units was synthesized and the exclusive supramolecular dimeric structure through six intermolecular hydrogen bonds was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. The supramolecular dimeric structure could recognize the polar molecule in aprotic polar solvents.

Water tuned nano/micro-structures in a redox-responsive supramolecular gel

A redox-responsive chiral supramolecular gel based on coumarin-tailed cholesterol linked with disulfide was reported. It was found that the gelation was primarily driven by the combination of hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, and van der Waals forces. Moreover, its assembled morphology could be regulated from nanofibers to micro flowers and ribbons by water on account of its amphiphilic nature.