Stereoisomerism-dependent gelation and crystal structures of glycosylated <i>N</i>-methylbromomaleimide-based supramolecular hydrogels.

Yamashita, Kotoyo; Ito, Akitaka; Ishida, Masashi; Shintani, Yuki; Ikeda, Masato; Hadano, Shingo; Izumi, Masayuki; Ochi, Rika · Soft Matter · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In this study, we developed glycosylated <i>N</i>-methylbromomaleimide-based supramolecular hydrogels exhibiting colour change along with gel-sol transition and found that the stereoisomerism of the saccharide residue affects their gelation ability. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the molecular packing and hydrogen-bonding networks contributed by the saccharide residues. Interestingly, it was found that water molecules were incorporated into the hydrogen-bonding network in the crystals of the compounds that showed gelation ability.