Functionalization at the methyl terminals of N,N'-didodecanoyl ethylenediamine was found to provide a much more powerful low molecular-weight gelators. Replacement of the terminal methyl groups of diamides with carboxy groups effectively enhanced the molecular self-assembly. Terminal functionalization enables organogelator to switch to hydrogelator. MR spectra and SEM imaging indicated that an intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the central amide groups were not interfered by terminal functional groups. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.