Enhanced columnar mesophase range through distortions in arene cores

ABSTRACT

The influence of sterically hindered functional groups on liquid crystalline properties is studied for two series of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic tetraesters and diimides. The results indicate an enhanced mesophase range owing to the decrease of the melting temperature. The role of axial chirality is also studied by comparing the liquid crystalline properties of unilaterally and bilaterally extended perylene derivatives. In summary, both bulky substituents and distortion of the polycyclic aromatic core can lead to an enlarged temperature range of columnar mesophases.

KEYWORDS:

• Axial Chirality
• Discotic Liquid Crystals
• Distorted Arene Cores
• Mesophase Stabilization
• Organic Electronics
• Perylene Derivatives

Funding

We thank the German Research Foundation (DFG: GRK 1464) for financial support and PC² for computing time. S. Schumacher acknowledges support through the Heisenberg programme of the DFG. Furthermore, C. Wiebeler is grateful for the fruitful discussions with Felix Plasser regarding non-adiabatic ab initio molecular dynamics.