1. Competition between Mesogens in Pyridone-Based Supramolecular Calamitic, Banana, and Discotic Liquid Crystals
Kurt N. Wiegel. Department of Chemistry, UW-Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI 54702
The application of hydrogen bonds in the modification of polymeric properties allows for the introduction of functionality into a polymeric system without costly and environmentally-damaging synthetic procedures. Pyridones provide systems capable of true self-assembly and double hydrogen bonds.
We intend to examine the effects of this self assembly on the formation of liquid crystalline phases capable of multiple molecular shapes, all of which are competing for the same resources. This will give insight into the relative stabilities of phases and hydrogen-bond formation.
Fiber-forming non-covalent polymers have been synthesized using the double hydrogen bond of the pyridone species. These polymers produce a frustrated liquid crystalline phase, achievable only by supercooling the material from the melt in liquid nitrogen.
Our next step is to overcome this limited liquid crystallinity and initiate competition between mesogenic shapes.