Deuterium NMR investigation of a new class of macrocyclic columnar liquid crystal

Abstract

Deuterium NMR spectroscopy of C₆D₆, added as a probe to compound 1, shows the formation of an uniaxial columnar mesophase, with domain directors perpendicular to the magnetic field. Spectral patterns at various temperatures are interpreted in terms of slow equilibrium between two solvent sites placed respectively between the cores and among the lateral chains. Deuterium NMR spectra of the deuteriated derivative 2 confirm this model, allow the evaluation of the molecular order parameter, S_zz, and exclude the presence of fast rotational diffusion around the main molecular axis.