Triazole-Modified Triphenylene Derivative: Self-Assembly and Sensing Applications

Triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystal 3 bearing 1,2,3-triazole groups has been synthesized using "click" chemistry. Discotic mesogen 3 has good thermal stability, and incorporation of triazole groups results in stabilization of columnar mesophases down to room temperature and formation of organogels in cyclohexane and mixed solvents such as hexane and dichloromethane (4:1 v/v). Characterization of the organogel of 3 in cyclohexane revealed a porous network. However, presence of Cd2+ ions in solution obstructed the self-assembly of this derivative due to preferred interactions between Cd2+ ions and triphenylene units over pi-pi interactions among triphenylene groups. Further, strong emission of derivative 3 in its nonaggregated form makes it a promising fluorescence sensory material for nitroaromatic compounds.