Non-conventional low-molecular-weight organogelators with superhydrophobicity based on fluorescent β-diketone-boron difluorides

Abstract

A series of β-diketone-boron difluoride derivatives bearing different methyl-substituted phenyl groups were designed and synthesized, and two of these boron-difluorides could form stable organogels in non-polar solvents, demonstrating that the methyl substituents have a significant effect on their gelation ability. Through temperature-dependent 1H NMR and photophysical properties analysis, we deemed that intermolecular non-covalent interactions facilitate the one-dimensional packing. Moreover, superhydrophobic surfaces, characterized by water contact angles around 150° could be obtained by means of the gelation of these boron-difluoride dyes. Thus, our work provided a unique example for designing non-conventional organogelators with superhydrophobic surfaces by introducing methyl-substituted phenyl groups into β-diketone-boron difluoride skeleton.