Use of a bis-1,2,3-triazole gelator for the preparation of supramolecular metallogels and stabilization of gold nanoparticles

In this work we have applied a double isosteric substitution of the amide groups presented in the gelator N,N′-((1S,2S)-cyclohexane-1,2-diyl)didodecanamide (C-Cyc) by 1,2,3-triazole rings affording the corresponding isosteric gelator (click-C-Cyc). This approach enabled the preparation of different metallogels and fine-tuning their properties. In particular, C-Cyc was found to form stable and reversible metallogels with Pd and Au in DMSO and DMF, whereas click-C-Cyc formed metallogels in these solvents only in the presence of Au. Comparing the gels made of C-Cycvs.click-C-Cyc in the presence of HAuCl·3HO, the former showed higher T values and 5-8 times slower gelation kinetics. Furthermore, the incorporation of EtN as reducing agent in the formulations facilitated the in situ formation of non-aggregated gold nanoparticles embedded in the viscoelastic networks made of either pure isosteres or with an equimolar mixture of click-C-Cyc and C-Cyc. So-formed NPs showed similar size distribution regardless the gold concentration and the nature of the gelator system.This work was supported by the University of Regensburg, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), and Fondecyt iniciación 11160707.Peer Reviewe