Aliphatic amine responsive organogel system based on a simple naphthalimide derivative

A new gelator 1 based on a simple naphthalimide derivative was synthesized and fully characterized. It was found that the organogel 1 was formed only in a mixed solvent of methanol and H2O (1/1, v/v). The organogel was thoroughly characterized by using various microscopic techniques including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-vis, fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Hydrogen bonds were the main driving force for the organogel formation. Interestingly, the organogel 1 exhibited the ability to distinguish aliphatic amines from aromatic amines. The gel state and fluorescence emission intensity were both changed after two minutes after the addition of aliphatic amines. This organogel system could be applied in the detection of aliphatic amine pollutants.