Novel Amphiphilic Phthalocyanine Mesogens

Abstract

A number of novel amphiphilic phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been prepared containing long alkyl (-C₁₆H₃₃) and oligo(ethyleneoxy) chains (-O(C₂H₄O)₃CH₃) in the peripheral positions. All the Pcs prepared showed liquid crystalline behaviour, with most compounds giving two mesophases. Optical microscopy suggests that the lower temperature mesophase (M1) is a discotic rectangular mesophase, and that the higher temperature mesophase (M2) is a discotic hexagonal phase.