Structural characterization of new fluorinated mesogens obtained through halogen-bond driven self-assembly

• Published in: Journal of fluorine chemistry Vol. 198; pp. 54 - 60
• Main Authors: Kumar, Vijith, Mulder, Dirk J., Cavallo, Gabriella, Pilati, Tullio, Terraneo, Giancarlo, Resnati, Giuseppe, Schenning, Albertus P.H.J., Metrangolo, Pierangelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-06-2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Diiodoperfluorocarbons; Elastomers; Fluorination; Fluorine; Halogen bonding; Liquid crystals; Nanostructured materials; Polymerization; Polymers; Reactive mesogens; Self-assembly; Structural analysis; Self-assembly; Halogen bonding; Diiodoperfluorocarbons; Reactive mesogens; Liquid crystals
• ISSN: 0022-1139; 1873-3328
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfluchem.2016.12.011

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•The synthesis of new fluorinated supramolecular mesogens is described.•X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that halogen-bond drives the self-assembly process.•The tendency to segregation of perfluorocarbons promotes the formation of lamellar phases.
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.