Transition between tangential and co-axial liquid crystalline honeycombs in the self-assembly of Y-shaped bolapolyphiles

Abstract

p-Terphenyl based Y-shaped bolapolyphiles self-assemble into liquid crystalline honeycombs with co-axial organization of the π-conjugated rods around columns filled by alkyl sidechains. In this new hexagonal honeycomb with P6/mmm symmetry the orientation of the π-conjugated rods is perpendicular to the tangential honeycombs formed at lower temperature or with longer chain length.