Provided is a compound capable of gelling various aqueous compositions containing salt, acid and the like.
An amphoteric ion-type basic amino acid derivative represented by the formula (1A):
wherein each substituent is as defined in DESCRIPTION, or a salt thereof.
L-lysine-based low-molecular-weight compounds with various positivelychargedterminals (pyridinium and imidazolium derivatives) was synthesized and its gelation behavior in water was investigated. Most of the compounds can be very easily synthesized in high yields (total yields >90 %), and they function as excellent hydrogelators that form hydrogels below 1 wt %; particularly, N(epsilon)-lauroyl-N(alph