Molecular Dynamics in Columnar Phases Exhibited by Compounds of Discotic and Biforked Molecules, A Comparative Study from NMR Results

Abstract

In this work we compare the outstanding features of the molecular dynamics behaviour as observed by NMR in different columnar mesophases. Columnar mesophases of monomo-lecular transverse section (e.g. the D_ho phase of discotic molecules) and of polymolecular transverse section (e.g. the φ_h phase exhibited by polycatenar mesogens) are compared. In addition, recent studies on mesophases formed by biforked molecules allow us for the comparison of the molecular movements in lamellar and columnar mesophases formed by the same molecules.

Key Words:

• NMR
• Relaxation
• Columnar
• Polycatenar
• Discotic