Controlled helicity inversion, selective enantiomer release, and methanol recognition in azobenzene gel

We designed and synthesized the chiral amphiphilic glutamide–azobenzene gelator GAZS which could form gel in various solvents. The gel showed reversible chiroptical switch under alternate UV irradiation and heat process. Moreover, the gel in methanol could shrink under UV irradiation and it was used to the selective enantiomer release. In alcohol solvents, only the gel in methanol have positive cotton effect and form opaque gel, so the recognition of methanol could be realized. We believe our work could provide some insights to the construction of the smart self-assembly materials,