Gelation by supramolecular dimerization of mono(urea)s.

Mono-ureido salicylic acid derivatives form hydrogen bonded dimers that mimic the gelation behaviour of covalently linked bis(urea)s. The 5-ureido salicylic acid isomers are much more effective gelators because of the lowered conjugation and less planar geometry, resulting in stronger urea···urea α-tape hydrogen bonding interactions.