A sulfonyl hydrazone cholesterol conjugate: gelation, anion interaction and its application in dye adsorption

Cholesterol appended sulfonyl-hydrazone derivative 1 was designed and synthesized as a supramolecular gelator for anionic sensing and dye adsorption. Gelator 1 forms a strong gel in DMSO–H₂O and the morphology of the xerogel shows a tiny rod-like fibrous network. The gel of 1 shows a selective response toward CN⁻ and F⁻ ions causing gel-to-sol transformation. The gel of 1 acts as an efficient matrix for adsorption and removal of anionic dyes such as erythrosine B and uranine from water.