Synthesis of reversible fluorescent organogel containing 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole: fluorescence enhancement upon gelation and detecting property for nerve gas simulant

A new low molecular mass organogelator 1 containing 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HPB) group with long alkyl chain was synthesized by the reaction with 5-amino-2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-methylphenyl)benzoxazole and dodecyl isocyanate in THF at room temperature. The reversible gelation ability of 1 was investigated using a heating-cooling method in various organic solvents. The stable organogel was formed from carbon tetrachloride or from cyclohexane at the concentration as low as 0.9%. The self-assembled supramolecular gel structure formed by non-covalent bonding was confirmed with field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) exhibiting fibril- or ribbon-shaped structure depending on the solvent used. Regarding the aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) phenomenon, the optical properties were investigated in its solution and gelled state. The detecting properties of resulting organogel toward nerve gas simulant were monitored by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Both color change from colorless to greenish yellow and disruption of gel structure resulting from alteration in intermolecular forces were observed upon the exposure to nerve gas simulant.