Self-assembly of hydrogen-bonded molecules: discotic and elliptical mesogens

The effect of hydrogen bonding on the phase behaviour of discotic mesogens was investigated with a series of dibenzophenazine carboxylic acids and their methyl ester analogues. The esters exhibit only columnar hexagonal phases, while the acids form columnar hexagonal, columnar rectangular and nematic mesophases. The acids have much higher transition temperatures and supercool to room temperature while maintaining the liquid crystalline ordering. These differences could be explained by the ability of the acids to form hydrogen-bonded dimers, which may also be regarded as supramolecular elliptically-shaped mesogens.