Semiconducting Fabrics by In Situ Topochemical Synthesis of Polydiacetylene: A New Dimension to the Use of Organogels.

A diyne functionalized 4,6-O-benzylidene β-d-galactopyranoside gelator, which can align its diyne motifs upon self-assembly (gelation) have been synthesized. The organogel formed by this gelator undergoes topochemical polymerization to polydiacetylene (PDA) under photoirradiation. This strategically designed gelator has been used to make semi-conducting fabrics.