Hybrid Covalent and Non-Covalent Routes toward the Rational Design and Synthesis of an Organogel

Abstract: A urea derived compound based on L-phenylalanine was synthesized and subsequently converted into an organic salt through a time-efficient procedure. The resulting salt exhibited effective gelation in chlorobenzene. Comprehensive rheological analysis, including table top as well as dynamic measurements further confirmed the mechanical robustness of the gel, while HR-TEM imaging revealed an entangled fibrous network characteristic of supramolecular self-assembly. The successful design of this bioconjugate, originating from a naturally occurring amino acid, underscores an effective strategy for converting simple bio-derived building blocks into functional supramolecular gelators with broad potential in materials science and soft-matter applications. Keywords: SAFiNs; Supramolecular gels; 1D HBN