Hydrogen Bonded Supramolecular Liquid Crystalline Complex of 2,4,6-Triarylamino-1,3,5-triazines with Semiperfluorinated Benzoic Acids

Hydrogen bonded supramolecular complexes of 2,4,6‐triarylamino‐1,3,5‐triazines ( Tn ) with semiperfluorinated benzoic acids have been prepared. The mesophase behaviors of such complexes were investigated with POM (polarized optical microscopy), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and X‐ray diffraction. Columnar mesophase was found in the equimolar mixtures of the triazines with the semiperfluorinated benzoic acids. While the equimolar mixture of triazines with the nonfluorinated three fold alkoxy‐modified carboxylic acid was not mesogen. The mesophase formation is analyzed as the hydrogen bonding between the Tn and benzoic acid which leads to discrete dimeric supermolecule and enhances the polarity of the core region of the dimeric supermolecule; simultaneously, an increased intramolecular polarity contrast upon replacing alkyl chains by semiperfluorinated chains, which favors a microsegregation, and leads to the fromation of the columnar phase.     

Influence of a Change in Helical Twisting Power of Photoresponsive Chiral Dopants on Rotational Manipulation of Micro‐Objects on the Surface of Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystalline Films

Herein we report a group of five planar chiral molecules as photon‐mode chiral switches for the reversible control of the self‐assembled superstructures of doped chiral nematic liquid crystals. The chiral switches are composed of an asymmetrically substituted aromatic moiety and a photoisomerizing azobenzene unit connected in a cyclic manner through methylene spacers of varying lengths. All the molecules show conformational restriction in the rotation of the asymmetrically substituted aromatic moiety in both the E and Z states of the azobenzene units resulting in planar chirality with separable enantiomers. Our newly synthesized compounds in pure enantiomeric form show high helical twisting power (HTP) in addition to an improved change in HTP between the E and Z states. The molecule with a diphenylnaphthalene unit shows the highest ever known initial helical twisting power among chiral dopants with planar chirality. In addition to the reversible tuning of reflection colors, we employed the enantiomers of these five compounds in combination with four nematic liquid crystalline hosts to study their properties as molecular machines; the change in HTP of the chiral dopant upon photoisomerization induces rotation of the texture of the liquid crystal surfaces. Importantly, this study has revealed a linear dependence of the ratio of the difference between HTPs before and after irradiation against the absolute value of the initial HTP, not the absolute value of the change in helical twisting power between two states, on the angle of rotation of micro‐objects on chiral nematic liquid crystalline films. This study has also revealed that a change in irradiation intensity does not affect the maximum angle of rotation, but it does affect the speed of rotational reorganization of the cholesteric helix.     

Self-Assembly and Fluorescence of Tetracationic Liquid Crystalline Tetraphenylethene

A series of tetraguanidinium tetraphenylethene (TPE) arylsulfonates with different chain lengths was prepared via ionic self-assembly of tetraguanidinium TPE chloride and the respective methyl arylsulfonates. Liquid crystalline properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Tetraguanidinium TPE arylsulfonates with chain lengths of C₈–C₁₂ displayed hexagonal columnar mesophases over a broad temperature range, while derivatives with longer chains showed oblique columnar phases. In solution all compounds displayed aggregation-induced emission behaviour. Temperature-dependent luminescence spectra of the bulk phase of the tetraguanidinium TPE arylsulfonate with C₁₄ side chains revealed a strong luminescence both in the solid state and the oblique columnar mesophase. The emission behaviour was rationalized by a unique combination of restriction of intramolecular rotation of the TPE core, Coulomb interaction between the guanidinium cations and π–π interactions of the anionic arylsulfonate moieties.     

Controlling Mirror Symmetry Breaking and Network Formation in Liquid Crystalline Cubic,Isotropic Liquid and Crystalline Phases of Benzil-Based Polycatenars

Spontaneous development of chirality in systems composed of achiral molecules is important for new routes to asymmetric synthesis, chiral superstructures and materials, as well as for the understanding of the mechanisms of emergence of prebiotic chirality. Herein, it is shown that the 4,4′-diphenylbenzil unit is a universal transiently chiral bent building block for the design of multi-chained (polycatenar) rod-like molecules capable of forming a wide variety of helically twisted network structures in the liquid, the liquid crystalline (LC) and the crystalline state. Single polar substituents at the apex of tricatenar molecules support the formation of the achiral (racemic) cubic double network phase with Ia d symmetry and relatively small twist along the networks. The combination of an alkyl chain with fluorine substitution leads to the homogeneously chiral triple network phase with I23 space group, and in addition, provides a mirror symmetry broken liquid. Replacing F by Cl or Br further increases the twist, leading to a short pitch double gyroid Ia d phase, which is achiral again. The effects of the structural variations on the network structures, either leading to achiral phases or chiral conglomerates are analyzed.     

Liquid Organic Frameworks: A Liquid Crystalline 8-Connected Network with Body-Centered Cubic Symmetry

Liquid state self-assembly is important for the understanding of the complex structures developed in abiogenesis and biogenesis as well as for numerous potential technological applications. Herein we report the first body-centered cubic liquid crystalline phase with 8-connected network topology and open octahedral network structure. It is formed by dynamic soft self-assembly of X-shaped polyphiles with oligo(para-phenylene-ethynylene) cores. The π-conjugated rods with perfluorinated inner benzene rings form networks conjoined by eight-way junctions, which are formed by nano-segregated spheres involving hydrogen-bonded polar end groups, while the branched aliphatic chains at opposite sides of the cores fill the continuum. This novel cubic phase is based on the I-WP minimal surface separating the frameworks of polyaromatic cores from the most disordered chain segments. It can also be considered as a dense sphere packing. Such liquid organic frameworks, representing hybrids of sphere packings and networks could be of interest for organic photonics and other technologies.     

The Solution of the Puzzle of Smectic‐Q: The Phase Structure and the Origin of Spontaneous Chirality

The so‐called smectic‐Q (SmQ) liquid crystal phase was discovered in 1983 in rod‐like molecules, but its structure remain unclear in spite of numerous attempts to solve it. Herein, we report what we believe to be the solution: A unique bicontinuous phase that is non‐cubic and is made up of orthogonal twisted columns with planar 4‐way junctions. While SmQ had only been observed in chiral compounds, we show that this chiral phase forms also in achiral materials through spontaneous symmetry breaking. The results strongly support the idea of a helical substructure of bicontinuous phases and long‐range homochirality being sustained by helicity‐matching at network junctions. The model also explains the triangular shape of double‐gyroid domains growing within a SmQ environment. SmQ‐forming materials hold potential for applications such as circularly polarized light emitters that require no alignment or asymmetric synthesis.     

Switching Chirophilic Self-assembly: From meso-structures to Conglomerates in Liquid and Liquid Crystalline Network Phases of Achiral Polycatenar Compounds

Spontaneous generation of chirality from achiral molecules is a contemporary research topic with numerous implications for technological applications and for the understanding of the development of homogeneous chirality in biosystems. Herein, a series of azobenzene based rod-like molecules with an 3,4,5-trialkylated end and a single n-alkyl chain involving 5 to 20 aliphatic carbons at the opposite end is reported. Depending on the chain length and temperature these achiral molecules self-assemble into a series of liquid and liquid crystalline (LC) helical network phases. A chiral isotropic liquid (Iso₁^[*^]) and a cubic triple network phase with chiral I23 lattice were found for the short chain compounds, whereas non-cubic and achiral cubic phases dominate for the long chain compounds. Among them a mesoscale conglomerate with I23 lattice, a tetragonal phase (Tet_bi) containing one chirality synchronized and one non-synchronized achiral network, an achiral double network meso-structure with Ia d space group and an achiral percolated isotropic liquid mesophase (Iso₁) were found. This sequence is attributed to an increasing strength of chirality synchronization between the networks, combined with a change of the preferred mode of chirophilic self-assembly between the networks, switching from enantiophilic to enantiophobic with decreasing chain length and lowering temperature. These nanostructured and mirror symmetry broken LC phases exist over wide temperature ranges which is of interest for potential applications in chiral and photosensitive functional materials derived from achiral compounds.     

Mirror Symmetry Breaking by Chirality Synchronisation in Liquids and Liquid Crystals of Achiral Molecules

Spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking is an efficient way to obtain homogeneously chiral agents, pharmaceutical ingredients and materials. It is also in the focus of the discussion around the emergence of uniform chirality in biological systems. Tremendous progress has been made by symmetry breaking during crystallisation from supercooled melts or supersaturates solutions and by self‐assembly on solid surfaces and in other highly ordered structures. However, recent observations of spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking in liquids and liquid crystals indicate that it is not limited to the well‐ordered solid state. Herein, progress in the understanding of a new dynamic mode of symmetry breaking, based on chirality synchronisation of transiently chiral molecules in isotropic liquids and in bicontinuous cubic, columnar, smectic and nematic liquid crystalline phases is discussed. This process leads to spontaneous deracemisation in the liquid state under thermodynamic control, giving rise to long‐term stable symmetry‐broken fluids, even at high temperatures. These fluids form conglomerates that are capable of extraordinary strong chirality amplification, eventually leading to homochirality and providing a new view on the discussion of emergence of uniform chirality in prebiotic systems.     

Determination of Triazines by Ultrasonic-Assisted Ionic Liquid Microextraction Coupled with High Performance Liquid Chromatography

The determination of triazine herbicides by ultrasonic‐assisted ionic liquid microextraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was described. 1‐Hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₆MIm][PF₆]) was used as the extraction solvent and some extraction parameters, including volume of [C₆MIm][PF₆], extraction temperature and time, salt concentration and pH values of sample solution, were examined and optimized. The isolation of the target compounds from the matrix was found to be efficient when triazines in 10 mL of sample solution was extracted with 100 µL of [C₆MIm][PF₆] for 40 min at 50°C. The detection limits for the triazine range from 0.36 to 1.41 µg·L^?1. The satisfactory recoveries (82.3% –120.3%) with relative standard deviations ≦10.1% were obtained for the four triazine herbicides from six kinds of practical water samples.     

Functional Columnar Liquid Crystalline Phases From Ionic Complexes of Dendronized Polymers and Sulfate Alkyl Tails

We describe how cationic dendronized polymers of generations 1, and 2 and anionic monoalkyl tails can be combined by supramolecular ionic complexation into comb-like liquid crystalline polymers. The final structures in bulk of these supramolecular complexes were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), cross-polarized optical microscopy (CPOM), small angle x-rays scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The combination of these techniques allowed elucidating (i) that these complexes exhibit thermotropic behaviour, (ii) that various liquid crystalline structures in the 3–5 nm length scale can be obtained such as columnar rectangular, columnar tetragonal, columnar hexagonal and lamellar, depending both on alkyl tail length and polymer generation, (iii) that although the alkyl tails represent the majority phase in the columnar phases, they form the cylindric domains, and the dendronized polymers occupy the continuous domains. Therefore, upon selective cleavage of the alkyl tails in the columnar phases, the present self-assembly approach may constitute an efficient strategy towards the formation of porous organic matrices with ultra-dense pore size in the range of 2 to 4 nm.     

Dynamic Switching of the Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Disubstituted Polyacetylene by Selective Transmission through a Thermotropic Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystal

The circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) of chiral disubstituted liquid‐crystalline polyacetylene (di‐LCPA) can be dynamically switched and amplified from left‐ to right‐handed CPL and vice versa through the selective transmission of CPL across a thermotropic chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*‐LC) phase. By combining a chiral di‐LCPA CPL‐emitting film with an N*‐LC cell and tuning the selective reflection band of the N*‐LC phase to coincide with the CPL emission band, a CPL‐switchable cell was constructed. The phase change induced by the thermotropic N*‐LC cell by varying the temperature leads to a change in the selective transmission of CPL, which enables the dynamic switching and amplification of CPL. It is anticipated that CPL‐switchable devices might find applications in switchable low‐threshold lasers and optical memory devices.     

Optically Active Liquid Crystalline Polyoxometalates via Electrostatic Encapsulation with Cholesterol‐Containing Amphiphile

A novel cholesterol‐containing amphiphile was designed and prepared in the study, which is a room‐temperature ionic liquid crystal over a broad temperature range with pronounced chiroptical properties. Four types of inorganic polyoxometalates (PMs) with different numbers of charges were encapsulated by the chiral amphiphile. The incorporation of chiral organic cations triggers achiral PMs in the complexes to show induced chirality through intermolecular interactions, as demonstrated by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The electrostatic encapsulation with mesomorphic promoters provides the inorganic PMs with liquid crystalline behavior, characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The strategy applied herein represents a unique example of liquid crystalline PM complexes with optical activity.     

T-型氢键液晶复合物的制备与液晶行为

以不具有液晶行为的2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶(A系列)和4-正烷氧基苯甲酸(D系列)作为氢键液晶复合物的单体,组装成T-型氢键液晶系列复合物(AmDn)。用红外光谱对其结构进行了表征,用DSC及偏光显微方法对其液晶行为进行了研究。结果表明:所合成的21种复合物分子间存在氢键且都具有向列相。通过调整2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子上柔性烷基的长度和极性,可以有效地调节它与4-烷氧基苯甲酸形成的氢键复合物的液晶相变温度以及液晶态的稳定性;增加2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子上柔性烷基的长度,其复合物AmDn的液晶相温度范围趋于变窄,清亮点逐渐下降,其液晶态稳定性也逐渐下降;以2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子替代2,6-二[N,N′-二-(4-烷氧基苯甲酰基)]氨基吡啶分子,可以降低分子的极性,使其单体的熔点及其氢键复合物AmDn的相变温度下降。     

A Liquid Crystalline Oligomer Exhibiting Nematic and Twist‐Bend Nematic Mesophases

The twist‐bend nematic phase (N_TB) has been described as the structural link between the untilted uniaxial nematic phase (N) and the helical chiral nematic phase (N*). The N_TB phase exhibits phenomena of fundamental importance to science, that is, 1) the spontaneous formation of a helical pitch on the nanometer scale in a fluid and 2) the spontaneous breaking of mirror symmetry, leading to the emergence of chiral domains in an achiral system. In this Communication, we present a study on T4₉ [bis(4‐(9‐(4‐((4‐cyanobenzoyl)oxy)phenyl)nonyl)phenyl) 4,4′‐(nonane‐1,9‐diyl)dibenzoate], a liquid‐crystalline oligomer exhibiting the twist‐bend nematic phase, which has a molecular length that is of comparable dimensions to the sub‐10 nm pitch determined for CB9CB, and provide new insights into the differentiation between the nano‐ and macro‐science for self‐assembling supermolecular systems.     

Effect of Atomic‐Scale Differences on the Self‐Assembly of Thiophene‐based Polycatenars in Liquid Crystalline and Organogel States

Two series of polycatenars are reported that contain a central thiophene moiety connected to two substituted oxadiazole or thiadiazole units. The number, position, and length of the peripheral chains connected to these molecules were varied. The oxadiazole‐based polycatenars exhibited columnar phases with rectangular and hexagonal or oblique symmetry, whereas the thiadiazole‐based polycatenars exhibited columnar phases with rectangular and/or hexagonal symmetry. All of the compounds exhibited bright emission in the solution and thin‐film states. Two oxadiazole‐based molecules and one thiadiazole‐based molecule exhibited supergelation ability in hydrocarbon solvents, which is mainly supported by attractive π–π interactions. These gels showed aggregation‐induced enhanced emission, which is of high technological importance for applications in solid‐state emissive displays. X‐ray diffraction studies of the xerogel fibers of oxadiazole‐based polycatenars revealed a columnar rectangular organization, whereas a hexagonal columnar arrangement was observed for thiadiazole‐based polycatenars. Rheological measurements carried out on the samples quantitatively confirmed the formation of gels and showed that these gels are mechanically robust. The impact of an atomic‐scale difference (oxygen to sulfur, <2 % of the molecular weight) on the self‐assembly and the macroscopic properties of those self‐assembled structures are clearly visualized.     

Formation of a Double Diamond Cubic Phase by Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Self‐Assembly of Bundled Bolaamphiphiles

A quaternary amphiphile with swallow‐tail side groups displays a new bicontinuous thermotropic cubic phase with symmetry Pn m and formed by two interpenetrating networks where cylindrical segments are linked by H bonds at tetrahedral junctions. Each network segment contains two bundles, each containing 12 rod‐like mesogens, lying along the segment axis. This assembly leads to the first thermotropic structure of the “double diamond” type. A quantitative geometric model is proposed to explain the occurrence of this rare phase.