Modification of Sm-Col bimesomorphism with the replacement of ester to ether linkages for the dodecyl homologue of azobenzene-triphenylene derivatives

Abstract

Triphenylene derivatives substituted with six long-chain-alkoxyazobenzene units at the periphery via propylene-ester groups is bimesomorphic liquid crystal (LC) compounds which exhibit both calamitic and discotic mesophases. It is suggested that flexibility of connecting group for triphenylene and azobenzene moieties is deeply concerned in this bimesomorphy. In this work, the details of phase transitions were studied for the C12 homologue of the analogue with ether-linkage by use of synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements.