Pathway dependence is common in self-assembly. Herein, the importance of pathway dependence for redox-driven gels is shown by constructing a FeII /FeIII redox-based metal-organic gel system is shown. In situ oxidation of the FeII ions at different rates results in conversion of a FeII gel into a FeIII organic gel, which controls the material properties, such as gel stiffness, gel strength, and an unusual swelling behaviour, is described. The rate of formation of FeIII ions determines the extent of intermolecular interactions and so whether gelation or precipitation occurs.
Keywords: kinetic control; metal-organic gels; pathway dependence; redox responsiveness; supramolecular gels; swelling.
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