New non-conventional lithocholic acid derivatives: synthesis and characterisations for mesogenic properties

ABSTRACT

The synthesis and characterisations of bulky lithocholic acid derivatives of triphenylene, pyrene, cholesterol and other rod-shaped molecules are described. All compounds are non-mesogenic, except azo-based compound that shows monotonically Smectic A mesophase. The new chemical structures were characterised by IR, ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance and microelemental analysis techniques. Thermal investigations and mesophase characterisations for all the compounds were carried out by the combination of differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscope  and X-ray analysis. The effects of various terminal cores connecting to middle lithocholic acid on liquid crystal properties with its structurally related compounds were discussed.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Lithocholic acid
• discotic dimers
• smectic A phase
• nematic mesophase

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).