A thermo-responsive supramolecular gel and its luminescence enhancement induced by rare earth Y3+

A new acylhydrazone-functionalized dual benzimidazole derivative gelator (L) was synthesized. L can self-assemble in DMSO–EG (ethylene glycol) or DMF–water mixtures to form a thermo-responsive supramolecular organogel (L-gel). In order to increase the fluorescence intensity of L-gel (DMSO–EG system), L-gel slowly turned into a clear solution upon addition of one equivalent of RE (rare earth) Y3+. Interestingly, this gelator L and Y3+ can be assembled into an enhanced blue-light-emitting supramolecular metallogel (Y@gel) in DMF–water mixtures.