Low molecular weight gelators, methods of making such gelators, organogels comprising such gelators and systems and methods of using such gelators for the containment and/or remediation of a release and/or spill of a crude oil, a petroleum product and/or a chemical is described. In exemplary systems and methods, gels and/or emulsions formed from the combination and/or contact of such gelators and at least one of a crude oil, a petroleum product and a chemical from a release and/or spill into the environment can be used to recover these oils or chemicals while allowing the gelators to be recovered and reused to clean up or contain additional crude oil, petroleum products or chemicals.
