Stereoisomerism-dependent gelation and crystal structures of glycosylated N-methylbromomaleimide-based supramolecular hydrogels.

In this study, we developed glycosylated N-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.