Gels of shape-persistent macrocycles: the role of the interiorElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthesis of the compounds, DSC measurements, UV/Vis spectra, TEM and AFM images. See DOI: 10.1039/c2cc32804f

The aggregation of shape-persistent macrocycles with an empty cavity, an undecyldiether strand and a tetraethylene glycol strand leads in all cases to a macroscopic gelation of the solvent. However, the gelation temperatures are fine-tuned by the intraannular substituents. Shape-persistent arylene-ethynylene macrocycles in apolar solvents allow a fine tuning of the gelation temperature by variation of the interior filling.