Arjunolic acid: A Renewable Template in Supramolecular Chemistry and Nanoscience

Arjunolic acid, a triterpenoid, renewably resourced from Terminalia arjuna saw- dust, has the potential of being used as a structural molecular framework in supramolecular chemistry and nanoscience. The nanosized chiral triterpenoid on derivatization could immo- bilize varieties of organic solvents at low concentrations. The low-molecular-mass organic compounds self-assembled in organic media to form fibrous network structures having fibers of nano- to micrometer diameters. A dual-component supramolecular gelation has been demonstrated, exhibiting interesting thermochromic property. An arjunolic acid-derived crown ether showed efficient binding to monovalent cations, including a primary ammonium ion paving the way for chiral recognition of amino acids.