Ferroelectrically Switching Helical Columnar Assembly Comprising Cisoid Conformers of a 1,2,3‐Triazole‐based Liquid Crystal

The 1,2,3‐triazole molecule, which is a product of click chemistry, possesses a high dipole moment and can be a useful polar motif for ferroelectric columnar liquid crystal (LC) materials—though it has not been used to date. Herein, we report the helical assembly and ferroelectric switching properties of a columnar liquid crystal comprising a naphthalene core and 1,2,3‐triazolyl linkages. The molecule assembles into a double‐stranded helical columnar LC structure (Col_hel). The X‐ray simulations of cisoid and transoid columnar models suggest that the helical assembly comprises cisoid conformers with a non‐zero dipole moment. The helical columns in the Col_hel phase are aligned homeotropically under an electric field. The ferroelectric switching of the axial polarization can be observed in the temperature range of 105–115 °C in the Col_hel phase, wherein the triazolyl hydrogen bonding along the column axis is weakened. The ferroelectric switching event is attributed to the rotation of the polar triazolyl units in response to the electric field.     

Columnar liquid crystalline assembly of a U‐shaped molecular scaffold stabilized by covalent or noncovalent incorporation of aromatic molecules

We report on our serendipitous finding of the anomalous behavior of a novel liquid crystalline (LC) molecule U _H/H , containing a U‐shaped handle. While U _H/H itself shows a bicontinuous cubic (Cub_bi) phase, U _H/H in the presence of pyrene molecules as an external guest forms a hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phase without phase separation. Interestingly, even when the pyrene molecules were covalently attached to U _H/H ( U _Py/Py ), the molecule exhibited a Col_h phase, with a similar columnar geometry to that of U _H/H mixed with pyrene molecules (1–4 equiv.). This result means that no matter how the pyrene moieties are incorporated in the LC system, the resultant material exhibited a similar molecular assembly with a columnar geometry. This finding is interesting because U _H/H and pyrene molecules do not seem to have specific interactions or shape complementarity to form a columnar assembly, as in the case of U _Py/Py . © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 342–351     

Synthesis and structure of lateral halogenated V-shaped liquid crystal molecules based on a 1,7-naphthalene central core and alkylthio tails

A series of small angle bent-core (V-shaped) mesogens carrying 1,7-naphthalene as a central core linked with lateral halogenated (chlorinated or fluorinated) Schiff-base side wings and alkylthio terminal tails of variable carbon number (n = 12, 16) was synthesised in order to reduce the transition temperature and improve the phase stability of bent-core liquid crystal molecules. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM), small-angle X-ray scattering system (SAXS) and two-dimensional X-ray diffractometer were applied to ascertain the mesomorphic structure and phase transition temperatures of the compounds. The results confirm that all the molecules show thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour and exhibit hexagonal columnar phase (Col_h) in a certain temperature range. Compared with the homologous compounds without lateral halogen, the cleaning point temperature of lateral halogenated V-shaped compounds generally decrease and the Col_h phase ranges are more extensive. The influence of lateral chlorine on the cleaning point temperature is more obvious, as well as the effect of lateral fluorine on the range of Col_h phase.     

Phase behaviour of three homologues of the discotic hexa‐n‐alkoxyanthraquinones under pressure

The phase transition behaviour of three homologous discotic mesogens, the hexa‐n‐alkoxyanthraquinones HOAQ(n), n indicating the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy group, was investigated under hydrostatic pressures up to 500?MPa using a high pressure differential thermal analyser. The T vs. P phase diagrams of HOAQ(6), HOAQ(8) and HOAQ(9) were constructed for solution‐ (Cr₀) and melt‐crystallized (Cr₁) samples of the compounds. HOAQ(6) shows the reversible Cr₀–rectangular columnar phase (Col_r)–hexagonal columnar phase (Col_h)–isotropic liquid (I) phase sequence at atmospheric pressure. The stable Col_r phase of HOAQ(6) has a decreased temperature range with increasing pressure and then the Col_r phase disappears under pressures above about 350?MPa; instead the Cr₀–Col_h–I phase sequence is exhibited. For HOAQ(8), the solution‐grown sample exhibits the stable Cr₀–Col_h–I phase sequence at atmospheric pressure. Applying pressure to the solution‐grown sample induces the formation of the stable Col_r phase in the pressure region between 10 and 350?MPa, leading to the Cr₀–Col_r–Col_h–I phase sequence. The pressure‐induced Col_r phase disappears under higher pressures. The melt‐cooled sample of HOAQ(8) shows the formation of the metastable crystal (Cr₁), unknown mesophase (X) and Col_r phases at lower temperatures under atmospheric pressure, and exhibits the reversible Cr₁–X–Col_r–Col_h–I phase sequence on subsequent thermal cycles. The metastable phase sequence was observed under pressures up to 100?MPa, but the phase transitions were too small to be detected under higher pressures. In HOAQ(9) the stable Cr₀–Col_h–I phase sequence is observed at all pressures, while the melt‐cooled sample shows the metastable Cr₁–Col_r–Col_h–I phase sequence under pressures up to 300?MPa. The metastable Col_r phase disappears under higher pressures.     

Ionic hexagonal columnar metallomesogens derived from tetrabenzo[b,f,j,n] [1,5,9,13]tetraazacyclohexadecine

A series of transition metal (Ni, Cu, Pd) complexes derived from macrocyclic tetrabenzo[b,f,j,n] [1,5,9,13]tetraazacyclohexadecine (TAAB) was synthesized and their mesomorphic properties studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). These compounds have eight alkoxy side chains attached around the central molecular core and form disc-like molecules. All the derivatives exhibited columnar mesophases over a wide range of temperature. The mesomorphic behaviour was found to be dependent on the incorporated metal and the carbon length of the alkoxy side chains. The clearing temperatures decreased in the order M = Ni > Pd > Cu; this decrease was probably due to the size of the metal ions. Some derivatives with shorter side chains (n = 10, 12) were room temperature liquid crystals. All compounds were found to exhibit hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phases which were confirmed by powder XRD.     

Synthesis and characterisation of 3-armed dendritic molecules with triphenylbenzene or triphenyltriazine as core and triphenylene derivative as shells

Two series 3-armed dendritic molecules with their 1,3,5-tris(4-methyloxyphenyl) benzene or 2,4,6-tris(4- hydroxylphenyl)-1,3,5-s-triazine core and triphenylene derivative shells connected by soft hydrocarbon chains have been synthesised and fully characterised. Whether liquid crystal (LC) or photoluminescence materials have been tuned by changing the length of the soft chain and they have been studied by POM, DSC, XRD, UV-Vis and PL. The results show that all the new dendritic compounds display UV to blue fluorescence in solvents such as DCM, THF and acetone. The TC3 compound bearing 1,3,5-tris(4-hydroxylphenyl) benzene core exhibits LC property with rectangular columnar phase (Col_r) on cooling.     

Morphological phase behaviour under pressure of polycatenar mesogens with a perfluorinated moiety

Two polycatenar materials composed of a four‐aromatic‐ring core with a perfluorinated moiety attached in one terminal position through either butylene‐ or pentylene spacer groups, and three tetradecyloxy chains at the other end (abbreviated as 14PC₄F and 14PC₅F), were investigated to study the effect of pressure on the phase transition behaviour. A polarizing optical microscope equipped with a high pressure optical hot stage, was used for the purpose. The T vs. P phase diagrams of 14PC₄F and 14PC₅F were constructed in the pressure region up to 100 MPa. 14PC₄F showed the stable crystal (Cr₁)–columnar tetragonal (Col_tet)–smectic A (SmA)–columnar hexagonal (Col_h)–isoropic liquid (I) phase transition sequence under all pressures. 14PC₅F exhibited the phase sequence metastable crystal (Cr₂)–cubic (Cub)–Col_tet–SmA–I in a melt‐cooled sample on heating under pressure. But when the melt‐cooled Cr₂ sample was annealed at 52–54°C for 2–3 h, the stable crystal (Cr₁) was formed slowly, giving a stable Cr₁–Cub–Col_tet–SmA–I phase sequence. The temperature region of the stable cubic phase broadened with increasing pressure. Furthermore a new mesophase of 14PC₅F was pressure‐induced between the I and SmA phases on cooling at pressures above about 16 MPa. Since the monotropic mesophase exhibited a texture very similar to that of the high temperature Col_h phase of 14PC₄F with planar orientation, the new phase was assigned at a high temperature columnar hexagonal phase of 14PC₅F.     

Tuning the Magnetic Properties of Columnar Benzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yls with the Molecular Shape

A homologous series of disc-like 1,3,6-trisubstituted benzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yls 1[n] was synthesized and their structural, thermal, optical, magnetic, and electric properties were investigated. The results demonstrate that all members of the series display a Col_h phase with clearing temperatures depending on the length of the alkoxy chains at the N(1) position, hence the shape of the disc. Powder XRD and magnetic data indicate a gradual change in the column diameter and magnetic behavior in the series in transition from half-disc in 1[0] (antiferromagnetic interactions) to full-disc geometry in the 1[12] homologue (ferromagnetic interactions with J/k_B=+7.5 K). Studies of binary systems revealed that a 1 : 1 mixture of 1[0] and 1[12] exhibits modest stabilization of the Col_h phase with an expanded range, and magnetic behavior typical for 1[0] in the rigid phase obtained from the melt. Electric measurements demonstrated hole mobility of ∼10⁻³ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and dark conductivity of ∼10⁻¹¹ Scm⁻¹ in the mixture and individual compounds. The latter is enhanced up to 4 times by simultaneous illumination with UV light.     

Columnar phases of achiral vanadyl liquid crystalline complexes

Two liquid crystalline vanadyl complexes have been studied by frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy over the range 10 mHz to 13 MHz. The materials exhibit two or three columnar phases denoted Col_ro, Col_rd, and Col_hd that were identified by X-ray diffraction. In the higher temperature Col_rd phase, a relaxation process in the kHz range is observed that is attributed to the reorientation about the molecular short axis. A pronounced dielectric relaxation process shows up in the low temperature Col_ro phase at hertz and sub-hertz frequencies. This slow relaxation is assigned to reorientation of the molecular dipoles within the polar linear chains, which are aligned along the column's axis. Triangular wave switching studies at low frequency reveal processes inside the Col_ro phase which are most probably due to ionic/charges relaxations but a ferroelectric switching for an achiral discotic system cannot be ruled out completely. Below the Col_ro phase there is an orientationally disordered crystalline Cr_x phase with disordered side chain dipoles. A dielectric relaxation process connected with the intramolecular relaxation of the alkoxy side chains, similar to the beta-process of polymers, has been found in the lower temperature Cr_x phase.     

Novel supramolecular columnar liquid crystals based on thiosemicarbazides

Novel liquid crystal materials based on 3,4-di-n-alkoxybenzoylthiosemicarbazides (3a–h, n = 5–10, 12, 14) were synthesised. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were characterised and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Compound 3a did not show mesomorphic properties; 3b shows a monotropic hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phase. Compounds 3c–h display an enantiotropic Col_h phase. The mesomorphic properties were found to be dependent on the length of alkoxy side chains. In N,N-dimethylformamide solution, all the compounds displayed a room temperature emission with λ_max at 361–332 nm. A thermogravimetric analysis also was performed.     

Broad Hexagonal Columnar Mesophases Formation in Bioinspired Transition‐Metal Complexes of Simple Fatty Acid meta‐Octaester Derivatives of meso‐Tetraphenyl Porphyrins

A series of meta‐substituted fatty acid octaester derivatives and their transition‐metal complexes of meso‐ tetraphenyl porphyrins (TPP‐8OOCR, with R=C_n?1H_2n?1, n=8, 12, or 16) have been prepared through very simple synthesis protocols. The thermotropic phase behavior and the liquid crystalline (LC) organization structures of the synthesized porphyrin derivatives were systematically investigated by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and variable‐temperature small‐angle X‐ray scattering/wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) techniques. The shorter octanoic acid ester substituted porphyrin (C8‐TPP) did not show liquid crystallinity and its metal porphyrins exhibited an uncommon columnar mesophase. The lauric acid octaester (C12‐TPP) and the palmitic acid octaester (C16‐TPP) series porphyrins generated hexagonal columnar mesophase Col_h. Moreover, the metal porphyrins C12‐TPPM and C16‐TPPM with M=Zn, Cu, or Ni, exhibited well‐organized Col_h mesophases of broad LC temperature ranges increasing in the order of TPPNi<TPPCu≤TPPZn with their increased effective ionic radii in the square‐planar coordination. The simplicity in synthesis, the well intercolumnar organization of Col_h mesophase, the broadness of the discotic LC range, and the specific UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence emission behaviors make the symmetrically substituted fatty acid octaester porphyrins and their metal complexes very attractive for variant applications.     

2,3,7,8,12,13-Hexakis[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]tricycloquinazoline: a discogen which allows enhanced levels of n-doping

A synthesis has been developed for 2,3,7,8,12,13-hexakis[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]-tricycloquinazoline (TCQ6EO2M) in which the ethylenoxy side chains are introduced before elaboration of the heterocylic core. This discogen gives a hexagonal columnar phase (Col_h) between 77 and 233°C. n-Doping using potassium metal is facilitated firstly by the electron poor/π-deficient nature of the core and secondly by the polyethylenoxy side chains which complex the potassium K⁺ counter-ions. The conductivity of the Col_h phase of TCQ6EO2M doped with 10 mol % potassium (σ _∥ = 1.1 x 10^-3 S m^-1) is substantially higher than that previously reported for 2,3,7,8,12,13-hexa(hexylthio)tricycloquinazoline doped with 6 mol % potassium (σ _∥ = 2.9 x 10^-5 S m^-1). Photoconductivity studies of TCQ6EO2M using a time of flight sample configuration show transient photocurrents for both holes and electrons. From these an upper limit on the mobility for the electrons is estimated as ~10^-4 cm² V^-1 s^-1 at 150°C which is of the same magnitude as that for hole mobilities in other columnar discotic liquid crystals.     

Polar Order and Symmetry Breaking at the Boundary between Bent‐Core and Rodlike Molecular Forms: When 4‐Cyanoresorcinol Meets the Carbosilane End Group

Two isomeric achiral bent‐core liquid crystals involving a 4‐cyanoresorcinol core and containing a carbosilane unit as nanosegregating segment were synthesized and were shown to form ferroelectric liquid‐crystalline phases. Inversion of the direction of one of the COO groups in these molecules leads to a distinct distribution of the electrostatic potential along the surface of the molecule and to a strong change of the molecular dipole moments. Thus, a distinct degree of segregation of the carbosilane units and consequent modification of the phase structure and coherence length of polar order result. For the compound with larger dipole moment ( CN1 ) segregation of the carbosilane units is suppressed, and this compound forms paraelectric SmA and SmC phases; polar order is only achieved after transition to a new LC phase, namely, the ferroelectric leaning phase (SmCL_sP_S) with the unique feature that tilt direction and polar direction coincide. The isomeric compound CN2 with a smaller dipole moment forms separate layers of the carbosilane groups and shows a randomized polar SmA phase (SmAP_AR) and ferroelectric polydomain SmC_sP_S phases with orthogonal combination of tilt and polar direction and much higher polarizations. Thus, surprisingly, the compound with the smaller molecular dipole moment shows increased polar order in the LC phases. Besides ferroelectricity, mirror‐symmetry breaking with formation of a conglomerate of macroscopic chiral domains was observed in one of the SmC phases of CN1 . These investigations contribute to the general understanding of the development of polar order and chirality in soft matter.     

Mesomorphic phase transition behavior of novel triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains

This report discusses the effect of fluoroalkyl chain on the mesomorphism. Several homologues of novel triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains were synthesized. Studies of X-ray diffraction, DSC and texture observations by polarized microscope revealed that these homologues show hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase. These homologues made columnar mesophase stabilize and the melting point increase, as compared with corresponding alkyloxytriphenylenes. In the case of fluoroalkyloxytriphenylenes possessing fluoromethylene side chains, the increase of the fluoromethylene chain length stabilized columnar mesophase, made the phase transition enthalpy (Col_h-Iso) and entropy (Col_h-Iso) increase. It is considered that these results are due to the fluorophilic interaction, and that the fluorophilic interaction is important for stabilizing columnar mesophase.     

Columnar liquid crystalline benzenetrisamides with pendant 1,3,4-oxadiazole groups

Novel liquid crystal materials based on 1,3,5-benzenetrisamide derivatives with three pendant 2-phenyl-5-(mono-, di-, and/or tri-n-alkoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole arms (Ia–c, IIa–c) were prepared. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were characterised and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The formation of a columnar mesophase was found to be dependent on the number of alkoxy side chains. The compounds Ib and IIb, with a total of six alkoxy chains, and compounds Ic and IIc, with nine alkoxy chains, exhibited an enantiotropic hexagonal columnar (Col_h ) phase with high isotropisation temperatures; however, compounds Ia and IIa with a total of three alkoxy chains formed a crystalline phase. Compounds IIb and c were room temperature liquid crystals.     

Alignment behavior for novel triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains on modified substrates

The alignment behavior of the triphenylene compounds possessing fluoroalkylated side chains was investigated for the hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase on the polyimide-, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-, and indium-SnO₂ (ITO)-coated glass substrates by polarizing optical microscopy. It was found that 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoroheptyloxy)- and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluorononyloxy)-triphenylenes exhibit a spontaneous homeotropic alignment on these substrates, in contrast to the non-uniformity of alignment of Col_h phase in the corresponding hydrocarbon mesogens. On the other hand, it was also found that 4,4,4-trifluorobutyloxy, 4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoropentyloxy and 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluorohexyloxy derivatives do not show such a spontaneous homeotropic alignment on these substrates. These results indicate that the spontaneous homeotropic alignment of the Col_h phase could be easily attained by the introduction of an appropriate number and length of the fluoromethylene chains in the peripheral parts of discogens.     

A novel dimeric discotic liquid crystal based on anthraquinone

A novel dimer based on the disc-like anthraquinone core-bis[1-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)-2,3,6,7-tetrapentyloxy-9,10-anthraquinon-5-oxy]do and its corresponding monomer 1-hexyloxy5-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)-2,3,6,7-tetrapentyloxy-9,10-anthraquinone, have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction studies show that this novel dimer exhibits a hexagonal columnar phase (Col_h) with correlation among the molecular cores along the column. The Col_h phase of the dimer exists over a very wide temperature range, extending from 176°C down to at least 60°C (the lowest temperature reached in DSC), whereas the monomer exhibits a Col_h phase at high temperature and a three-dimensionally ordered columnar phase (Col_x) at low temperature.     

Formation of hexagonal columnar phases by heterocyclic pyrimidine derivatives

The synthesis, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of a new type of heteronuclear compounds derived from pyrimidine as core group are reported. These compounds were prepared by condensation reactions of appropriate acetophenones and benzonitriles in the presence of trifluoromethanesulphonic anhydride. They were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and their phase transitions characterized and studied by thermal analysis and polarizating microscopy. These compounds exhibit hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phases, as expected for disk-like molecules; the formation of columnar phases was found to be dependent on the numbers of alkoxy side chains attached. For those compounds having the same numbers of flexible side chains attached, the one with a preferred unsymmetric structure exhibited better mesomorphic properties. The observed improved mesomorphic behaviour of these compounds over other similar all-carbon heterocyclic compounds is attributed to the greater polarization of nitrogen atoms in the core ring.     

Ionic liquid crystals with 1,2,3-triazole + tolane core and a pendant imidazolium unit: mesophases from one- to three-dimensional molecular organisation by the variation of alkoxy chains number and spacer length

Ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) are a class of materials that present a large and varied form of applicability and whose properties can change dramatically with small modifications in their molecular structure. It is, therefore, of great importance to improve the knowledge about the property–molecular structure relationship. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterisation of 7 new rod- and wedge-shaped ILCs, whose liquid crystalline behaviour variation is related to the variations in the number of alkoxy chains and/or in the spacer chain length. All compounds have a rigid core constituted by a tolane group and a 1,2,3-triazole heterocycle, which is connected to a pendant 1-methylimidazolium through a alkyl spacer chain. The mesomorphic properties were studied by DSC, thermogravimetric analysis, polarising optical microscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction and SAXS with synchrotron radiation. The increase in the number of long alkoxy chains changed the molecular self-assembly from bilayered SmA₂ and SmC₂ to hexagonal columnar, passing through oblique columnar, bicontinuous cubic and hexagonal close-packed mesophase. On the other hand, the increase in the alkyl spacer chain length has an especially significant effect for the compounds with two terminal alkoxy chains, where a Col_o/Col_h – Cub_v – HCP phase sequences were observed.     

An example of an unsymmetrically substituted,monofunctionalized anthraquinone-based discotic liquid crystal

We report here the synthesis and characterization of an unsymmetrically substituted, monofunctionalized anthraquinone-based discotic liquid crystal, namely 5-hydroxy-1-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)2,3,6,7-tetrapentyloxy-9,10-anthraquinone. Interestingly, this compound, which has only four alkyloxy chains attached to the anthraquinone core, shows a hexagonal columnar phase (Col_h) of much wider temperature range compared with analogues having six alkyloxy chains. Incidentally, among the anthraquinone-based disc-like molecules exhibiting columnar phases known so far, this is the first molecule, which does not possess any C₂-axis of symmetry. Besides its unsymmetrical structure and interesting mesomorphic behaviour, monofunctionalized monomers of this kind, unlike the available C₂-symmetric difunctionalized tetraethers, can serve as potential synthons for obtaining dimers in a unique way. In addition, various anthraquinone-based oligomers, metallomesogens, and side group liquid crystalline polymers can be obtained from these monomers.