Organic reactions in supramolecular gel media: reaction driven release of reagents in a macrocyclisation reaction

A bifunctional reactive organogelator containing p-nitrophenyl carbamate moieties has been reacted with (1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediamine to produce a l-valine derived macrocyclic bisurea. The macrocyclisation can be carried out very efficiently in the presence of the supramolecular gel formed by the biscarbamate, although the results indicate that the reaction takes place on the soluble species present in the system. The reversible nature of a supramolecular gel together with the high active surface of its fibrillar network permits the behaviour of the studied gel as an on-demand supplier of reagents to the solution phase.