Design, synthesis and stimuli responsive gelation of novel stigmasterol-amino acid conjugates

► Three stigmasterol-amino acid conjugates were prepared and fully characterized. ► Gelation properties of the compounds were tested in 22 organic solvents and water. ► The protonation of NH2 group of amino acid is crucial for the gel formation. ► Reversible sol-gel transitions can be induced with pH stimuli. ► The gelators, gels and xerogels were studied by solution and solid-state NMR, IR and SEM.