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Synfacts 2007(11): 1147-1147  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-991279
Synthesis of Materials and Unnatural Products
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Low-Temperature Discotic Nematic Liquid Crystals

Contributor(s): Timothy M. Swager, Ryan M. Moslin
S.-C. Chien, H.-H. Chen, H.-C. Chen, Y.-L. Yang, H.-F. Hsu*, T.-L. Shih, J.-J. Lee
Tamkang University, Tamsui and National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 October 2007 (online)

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Significance

Replacement of one of the 6-symmetrical para-substituted aryl groups in the hexa­alkynylbenzene moiety with an aromatic ring possessing ‘lateral’ (ortho and/or meta) substitution gives disklike molecules that exhibit the discotic nematic (ND) liquid crystal (LC) phase. The authors are able to achieve low temperature (30 °C) non-columnar ND LC. It is likely that the large ortho substituents cause the laterally substituted aryl ring to twist out of plane. These same substituents then provide a steric barrier to column formation.