Structural characterization of new fluorinated mesogens obtained through halogen-bond driven self-assembly
Kumar, V.a, Mulder, D.J.b,c, Cavallo, G.a, Pilati, T.a, Terraneo, G.a, Resnati, G.a, Schenning, A.P.H.J.b,d, Metrangolo, P.a,e
a NFMLab - D.C.M.I.C. “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Via L. Mancinelli 7, Milan, 20131, Italy
b Department of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ, Netherlands
c Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI), PO Box 902, Eindhoven, 5600 AZ, Netherlands
d Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, Netherlands
e VTT-Technical Research Centre of Finland, FI- VTT, P.O. Box 1000, 02044, Finland
We describe the synthesis and characterization of new trimeric complexes obtained upon halogen-bond driven self-assembly of 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene or α,ω– diiodoperfluoroalkanes, acting as XB-donors, with an alkoxystilbazole derivative functionalized with a methacrylate terminal group, acting as XB-acceptor. Despite the fact that the starting materials are not mesomorphic in nature, the obtained halogen-bonded complexes exhibit monotropic LC behaviour with smectic A phases possibly resulting from segregation between fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon chains. The obtained supramolecular mesogens possess reactive groups suitable for incorporation into liquid crystalline elastomeric actuators.
