Self-assembled diols: synthesis, structure and dielectric studies

In single-, double-, and triple-chain amphiphilic diols the CONH group was replaced by CON(CH₃) in order to reduce the number of proton donor groups available for intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The resulting three new liquid crystalline diols were studied by DSC, X-ray and dielectric measurements, and show the mesophases SmA, Col_H2 or Cub_I2, depending on the number of decyloxy groups in the hydrophobic part of the molecule. The process of self-assembly to different liquid crystalline phases is well seen in the dielectric spectrum and details of this process are discussed together with results from the X-ray measurements. All the compounds show a high frequency dielectric absorption caused by the dynamics of the network of hydrogen bonds. An additional low frequency process related to the internal dynamics of the columns is seen only in the columnar phase.