Tetrahydroxy-p-benzoquinone Tetraesters, The Simplest Discotics

Abstract

This report resolves uncertainty about mesomorphic behavior of tetrahydroxy-p-benzoquinone tet-raesters. Both the tetraheptanoate and tetraoctanoate esters form stable mesophases over narrow temperature ranges. The phases are identified as columnar based upon their high viscosity and well-defined mosaic textures under a polarizing microscope. With only four flexible side chains attached to a one-ring rigid core, these appear to be the simplest discotics to exhibit columnar order.