A new organogelator effective at both extremes of solvent polarity

A series of aliphatic 2,3,ω-1,ω-diesters have been found capable of forming stable gels from solvents at either end of the usual polarity range, including toluene and cyclohexane at one extreme and water and aqueous ethanol at the other extreme. The low levels of the gelator molecules required [minimum concentration ∼1.8–3.2 mg ml−1 in optimum cases] is a notable feature in many cases.