The invention provides compounds of the following formula (I): in which R 1 or R 2 is selected from hydrogen or a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 40 carbon atoms With the proviso that only one of R 1 or R 2 is hydrogen and R is selected from cyclic or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon aliphatic chains having 2 to 15 carbon atoms) It relates to the corresponding N-alkyldiamide compounds. The invention also relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) as a gelling agent, and to a gel composition comprising a compound of formula (I) as described above. 【Selection chart】 None本発明は、以下の式(I):(式中、R1又はR2は、水素又は1~40個の炭素原子を有する直鎖状、分岐状若しくは環状の飽和若しくは不飽和の炭化水素鎖から選択され、但し、R1又はR2の1つのみは、水素であり、Rは、2~15個の炭素原子を有する環状又は分岐状の飽和又は不飽和の炭化水素脂肪族鎖から選択される)に対応するN-アルキルジアミド化合物に関する。本発明は、式(I)の化合物のゲル化試薬としての使用、及び前記式(I)の化合物を含むゲル組成物にも関する。【選択図】なし