Col Phase Research Articles

Tailoring Chiral Discotic Liquid Crystals: Mesophase Engineering through Alternative Approaches and Chain Lengths.

Hydrogen (H)-bonding is crucial in constructing superstructures in chemical (such as chiral discotic liquid crystals (DLCs)) as well as in biological systems due to its specific and directional nature. In this context, we achieved the successful synthesis of two branches of heptazine-based H-bonded complexes using distinct strategies. Hpz*-Es-Cn , we incorporated chiral alkyl tails (Hpz-chiral) onto the central C3 symmetric heptazine core, connected to achiral benzoic acid derivatives (Es-Cn acid) through H-bonding. In Hpz-Es-Cn -acid*, we used an achiral heptazine derivative (Hpz-Es-Cn ) linked to a chiral acid via H-bonding. On the other hand, based on the DSC results, we observed that Hpz*-Es-Cn complexes exhibited three distinct phases, whereas Hpz-Es-Cn -acid* complexes displayed only a single mesophase. In polarized optical microscopy (POM) observations, all the complexes displayed birefringence at room temperature, with the color of the POM images changing as the temperature varied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies at lower temperatures confirmed that Hpz*-Es-C8 exhibited the columnar rectangular (Colr ) phase, while Hpz*-Es-C10/12 exhibited the columnar oblique (Colob ) phase. However, all the H-bonded complexes exhibited the columnar hexagonal (Colh ) phase at higher temperatures. The chiroptical spectra recorded by Circular dichroism (CD) highlight the specific observations in the columnar phase of two complexes, Hpz*-Es-C10 and Hpz*-Es-C12 . This behavior has potential applications in various fields, including sensors, displays, and responsive materials.

Tris(boranil) Columnar Liquid Crystalline Fluorophores: pseudo-Triphenylene Boron(III) Complexes with Peripheral N-B-O Linkages.

The borate complexes derived from salicylaldimine ligands, called boranils, possess a wide range of photophysical and electronic characteristics intrinsically. The unique combination of molecular rigidity, rendered by four-coordinate boron bridges, and extended π-conjugation enable them to serve as technically feasible fluorescent materials (dyes). The incorporation of liquid crystallinity in these boron(III) complexes, especially the columnar (Col) mesomorphism, which is overlooked hitherto, would provide a new dimension to these complexes. Herein, we report the first examples of tris(boranil) discotic liquid crystal (LC) dyes that have been readily synthesized by treating tris(N-salicylideneaniline)s, (TSAN)s, with BF3 .Et2 O in the presence of an acid quencher. These C3 -symmetric borate complexes self-assemble into the Col phase, existing over a wide thermal span including room temperature. The 2D periodic order of the Col phases shows dependence on the length of the peripheral tails. The photophysical measurements reveal the fluorescence emission in their two condensed states viz., solid and Col phase, and in solution. Their electrochemical, two-step oxidation process coupled with the aforesaid features upholds their significance in applied research.

Entropy effect of alkyl tails on phase behaviors of side-chain-jacketed polyacetylenes: Columnar phase and isotropic phase reentry

We have investigated phase behaviors of a series of polyphenylacetylene derivatives, poly[di(n-alkyl) ethynylterephthalates] (Pn, n is the number of carbon atoms of n-alkyl group, from 2 to 14), which are largely influenced by the length of n-alkyl tails on 2,5-position of the phenyl group. With short alkyl groups (n ≤ 6), Pns form columnar liquid crystalline (Col) phases due to the “jacketing effect” of side-chains. As the alkyl tails become longer (n ≥ 8), an isotropic phase, which can be considered as a reentrant one (Ire), is identified between lamellar phase (Lam) at low temperatures and Col phase at high temperatures. This unusual phase behavior is determined by the motional state of the side-chains. Thanks to in-situ variable temperature solid-state NMR experiments, the motion of main- and side-chains in different phases were distinguished, providing strong evidence for the entropy effect of side-chains which drives Ire and then Col phase in Pns (n ≥ 8) upon heating.

Origin of the High Carrier Mobilities of Nonperipheral Octahexyl Substituted Phthalocyanine

The carrier transport properties of nonperipheral octahexyl substituted phthalocyanine H2Pc(C6H13)8np in its crystal and columnar (Col) liquid crystal (LC) phase were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations in combination with molecular dynamics (MD) and kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations. In the crystal phase, we found that the nonperipherally substituted chains of H2Pc(C6H13)8np, that interpenetrate adjacent phthalocyanines (Pcs), significantly alter the Pc-core stacking such that higher hole mobilities are observed for this system than for the nonsubstituted H2Pc. This chain interpenetration was found to be inherited by the column stacking in the Col phase and hindered the Pc-core in-plane rotations between adjacent Pcs. This rotational hindrance further caused a nonuniform distribution of the adjacent dimer Pc-core in-plane orientation configurations. The relatively high carrier mobility in the Col phase in this system can be rationalized by the nonuniform distribution of the dimer configurations that give relatively high electronic coupling between the adjacent dimers. Our results show the remarkable effects of nonperipheral substitutions on the carrier transport properties in both the crystal and Col LC phases.

Discotic derivatives of 6-oxoverdazyl radical

Substitution of each phenyl in 1,3,5-triphenyl-6-oxoverdazyl with three alkoxy groups induces an ordered columnar hexagonal phase (Colh(o)) below 130°C in 1b[n], while in the alkylsulfanyl analogues 1a[n] additional periodicity along the columns was found rendering the phase a true three-dimensional columnar hexagonal phase (Colh(3D)) below 60°C. Both series exhibit broad absorption bands in the visible region with maxima at 540 and 610 nm in series 1a[n] and at 486 and 614 nm in series 1b[n]. Unusual reversible thermochromism is observed in series 1b[n], in which the dark green isotropic phase turns red in the discotic phase. Analysis of 1a[8] revealed redox potentials E0/+11/2 = +0.99 V and E0/ −11/2 = –0.45 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE), while the potentials in the alkoxy analogue 1b[8] are shifted cathodically by 0.16 V. Photovoltaic studies of 1a[8] demonstrated hole mobility of μh = 1.52 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 in the mesophase with an activation energy Ea = 0.06 ± 0.01 eV. Magnetisation studies of 1a[8] revealed nearly ideal paramagnetic behaviour in either the solid or fluid phase above 200 K and weak antiferromagnetic interactions at low temperatures. In contrast, a noticeable drop of about 4% in μeff was observed during the I→Col phase transition in 1b[8], which coincide with the thermochromic effect.

Self-Assembly of Hekates-Tris(N-salicylideneaniline)s into Columnar Structures: Synthesis and Characterization

Two series of new, photoluminescent star-shaped discotic liquid crystals, recently termed as "hekates", derived from tris(N-salicylideneaniline)s (TSANs), were synthesized by the facile threefold condensation of 3,4-bis(alkoxy)phenyl 4-aminobenzoates/3,4,5-tris(alkoxy) phenyl 4-aminobenzoates with 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol and characterized. These two series of discotics with six and nine peripheral n-alkoxy tails were especially designed and accomplished to understand the relation between mesomorphic/photophysical properties and molecular structure. Proton NMR spectral analysis revealed their existence as an inseparable mixture of two keto-enamine tautomeric forms featuring C(3h) and C(s) rotational symmetries. A systematic study into the thermotropic liquid crystal behavior using polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray scattering confirmed the presence of columnar (Col) phase in vast majority of the TSANs prepared. The two-dimensional (2D) lattices of these fluid columnar phases were found to be characteristic of hexagonal Col (Col(h)), rectangular Col (Col(r)), or oblique Col (Col(ob)) phases depending on the number/length of the peripheral flexible chains. The stabilization of the Col(ob) phase, a less commonly found fluid columnar structure, and the first of its kind in TSAN systems, implies very intensive intermolecular (face-to-face) interactions among the TSAN cores within the column. The photophysical properties were investigated both in solution and the columnar states by UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence; markedly, the solution state emits light in the blue region. The light-emitting ability of the Col phase is particularly significant given the possibility that, in such cores, the protons and electrons interact with each other through the H-bonding environment.

Amphiphilic taper-shaped oligomer exhibiting a monolayer smectic A to columnar phase transition

We prepared two series of liquid-crystalline oligomers composed of phenylpyrimidine based mesogenic cores, alkyl spacers and semiperfluorinated alkyl chains in one series and only alkyl chains in the second series. Their physical properties were investigated using optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements. The oligomers possessing a semiperfluorinated alkyl chain show a phase sequence of SmC–SmA–Col when the number of phenylpyrimidine moieties was increased. The compound possessing three phenylpyrimidine cores was found to exhibit monolayer SmA and Col phases. On the other hand, the oligomer composed of an alkyl chain and three phenylpyrimidine cores showed only a nematic phase. We discuss effects of the shape amphiphilicity and the hydrocarbon–fluorocarbon amphiphilicity on phase transition behaviour of the amphiphilic oligomers.

Syntheses and Mesogenic Properties of Dimers and Trimers Consisting of Triphenylene Donor and Anthraquinone Acceptor

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of new dimers with triphenylene donor (D) core tethered via a flexible spacer to a monofunctionalized anthraquinone acceptor (A) core, D-A, are reported. These dimers have hydroxyl (D-A(OH)) or acetyloxy (D-A(OAc)) functional group. The linear trimers, D-A-D, are also reported here. The chemical structures of these dimers and trimers are characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. The liquid crystalline properties are investigated by polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dimers D-A(OH) having the spacer length similar to peripheral alkoxy chains exhibit the nematic (N) phase, whereas dimers D-A(OH) and D-A(OAc) having longer spacer length compared with peripheral alkoxy chains exhibit the columnar (Col) phase. The trimers exhibit N or Col mesophases, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, according to the similar rule as in D-A. Thus the spacer length and functional group have more influence on molecular self-assembly to exhibit the liquid crystalline properties. It is noted that some of these dimers and trimers show N or Col phase at room temperature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first for molecules with non-branched but normal peripheral chains.

The Mobility and Decay Kinetics of Charge Carriers in Discotic Hexabenzocoronenes

AbstractThe temperature dependence of the mobility and decay kinetics of charge carriers in discotic hexa‐peri‐hexabonzocoronene derivatives has been measured using the pulse‐radiolysis time‐resolved microwave conductivity technique (PR‐TRMC). For both the racemic and chiral dimethyloctyl, and the isomeric n‐decyl substituted derivatives, the mobility decreases at the crystalline solid (K)–liquid crystalline (Col) transition from 0.5±0.1 to 0.30±0.05 cm2 V–1 s–1 with the transition temperature ca. 30 °C lower for the branched chain compounds. The charge recombination kinetics are similar for the branched chain isomers in the Col phase but a faster decay is found for the racemic compound in the K phase. The fact that the mobility values for an asymmetrically substituted butylanthraquinone (C4 AQ) derivative are a factor of 2–3 lower than for the fully hexakis‐alkyl substituted compounds is attributed to the similar intracore mobilities for holes and electrons in the latter materials and the electron localization on the AQ moiety in the former. Charge recombination is found to be orders of magnitude faster in the Col phase of the C4 AQ derivative than in the K phase, this is attributed to the motional freedom of the AQ– group in the liquid‐crystalline phase.