Sonication-induced molecular gels based on mono-cholesterol substituted quinacridone derivatives

A series of monocholesterol substituted quinacridone derivatives MCC(n) (n = 4, 6, 8) has been designed and synthesized. Compounds MCC(6) and MCC(8) can gelate a wide range of organic solvents upon ultrasound irradiation and afford intriguing well-defined nanostructures composed of three-dimensional sponge-like superstructures or fibrous networks. Interestingly, the gel produced from MCC(6) is sensitive to thermo-, aniline, and formic acid stimulus, giving obviously different aggregation behaviors as well as physical properties. Time-dependent spectroscopic data and theoretical calculation results provided explanation for the possible molecular aggregation mode during the formation of the gels.