Abstract
Thermotropic ionic liquid crystals with a pyridinium skeleton were synthesized and the effects of counter ions for the liquid crystal formation were examined. The liquid crystal formation depended on counter anions. The thermotropic ionic liquid crystal with chloride anion showed columnar, cubic, and smectic A phases. A polyacrylate counter ion enhanced the thermal stability of the cubic phase. A tartrate ion led to the formation of a columnar phase with the enhanced thermal stability.
