Organogels based on β-cyclodextrin system with molecular recognition property

We reported a supramolecular system consisted of β-cyclodextrin, N , N -dimethylformamide and LiCl, which could exhibit different behaviors toward various alcohols. When some liquid monohydric alcohols were injected into the system at room temperature, a semitransparent organogel (the ambient temperature organogel) was formed. Compared with liquid monohydric alcohols, the addition of solid alcohols could induce the formation of a heat-set organogel, a solution, and an ice-like crystal at different temperatures. The xerogels and dried ice-like crystal were characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry. The systems were also studied by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance and 2D rotating frame overhauser effect spectroscopy. The alcohol-responsive properties of this system could be further designed as molecule switches based on molecular recognition. Graphical Abstract The mechanism of the three-dimensional network formation by self-assembly in the systems: a, LiCl and heat (or liquid monohydric alcohol); b, LiCl, solid alcohol and heat (or cool). We found a novel supramolecular system containing β-cyclodextrin. It was a clear solution at room temperature and could form a heat-set organogel by heating. It could exhibit different behaviors toward various alcohols: ambient temperature organogel, ice-like crystal, heat-set organogel or solution.