Non-symmetrical discotic liquid crystalline dimers: molecular design, synthesis and mesomorphic properties^‡

Abstract

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of novel non-symmetrical discotic dimers have been investigated. Dimers have been prepared by the combination of electron-deficient (n-type) anthraquinone and electron-rich (p-type) triphenylene discotic monomers. The mesophases have been characterised using polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Most of the dimers have been shown to exhibit a rectangular columnar mesophase and one has a nematic columnar mesophase also. Charge transfer behaviour has been studied by UV–Vis spectroscopy.

Keywords:

• triphenylene
• anthraquinone
• dimers
• nematic
• columnar

Acknowledgements

SKV is very grateful to Professor K.A. Suresh for his sustaining support for the research work. A fellowship awarded by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

^‡Part of this work has been presented as a poster in 2004 at the 20th International Liquid Crystal Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia.