Self-organization of adenine and thymine derivatives in thermotropic liquid crystal

Abstract

Self-organization of adenine and thymine derivatives was studied by comparison of IR spectra of these compounds in crystal, liquid crystal, and isotropic liquid states. The adenine derivative mainly formed weaker hydrogen-bonded assemblies in the liquid crystal state, compared with assemblies in crystal state. The thymine derivative existed as a component of a network of prolonged hydrogen bonds interconnecting thymine rings in the liquid crystal state. The mixing of the adenine and thymine derivatives at a molar ratio of 1:1 resulted in a formation of base pair between adenine and thymine rings. The structures of hydrogen-bonded assemblies in the liquid crystal state were presumed on the basis of the temperature-dependent IR spectra.