Easy Preparation and Prominent Gelation of New Gelator Based on l -Lysine

A new prominent gelator 1, Nε-lauroyl-Nα-stearylaminocarbonyl-l-lysine ethyl ester was effortlessly prepared by esterification of Nε-lauroyl-l-lysine and addition of n-octadecyl isocyanate in a total yield of 89%. Gelator 1 was capable of gelling up a wide variety of organic fluids. A comparison of the gelation ability of structurally related compounds clarified that not only the introduction of long-chain alkyl but also more importantly the ureylene segment connecting the α-amino group and the alkyl chain are required for effective gelation.