LAUSR

Abstract 4-Semifluoroalkoxybiphenyl derivatives 1 and 2(n) (n = 4–6, 8 and 10) were designed, synthesized and their physic-chemical properties were examined. The effects of chemical structure on liquid crystalline and gelation properties were investigated. The clear point for 2(n) declines as the carbon number of terminal alkoxyl chain enlarges from 4 to 10. The clear point for 2(4) is 172 °C while 2(10) is 135 °C. The gelation properties for 2(n) are superior to those for 1, where the linking group of gelators 2(n) between a perfluoroalkyl group and biphenyl core are longer than that of 1. In compounds 2(n), the longer alkoxyl chain at the terminal position, the better gelation properties. The phase selective property of compound 2(10) in THF solution is better than in toluene. 10 wt% 2(10) solution in THF can selectively gelatinize oils and amines from aqueous-organic biphasic mixtures. Interestingly, 10 wt% 2(10) solution in THF also selectively gelatinize organic compound from homogeneous aqueous-organic mixtures. Gels formed by compounds 2(n) as supramolecular gels were investigated their thermoreversible and rheological property.