Liquid crystalline properties in a series of disc-like compounds with two long alkyloxy chains attached to the core

Abstract

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel series of anthraquinone-based discotic liquid crystals, viz. 1,5-dialkyloxy-2,3,6,7-tetrakis(benzyloxy)anthra-9,10-quinones. To our knowledge, these are the first examples of discotic liquid crystals wherein only two, long flexible aliphatic chains are attached to the core. The rest of the four positions are substituted with bulky benzyloxy groups. Most of the compounds synthesized in this series are found to be liquid crystalline. They exhibit the typical texture of a columnar mesophase. Further, these compounds can serve as useful precursors for obtaining various unsymmetrical derivatives of 9,10-anthraquinones.