Hydrogen-bonded Liquid Crystals: Polymeric Networks Utilizing Rigid Tetrafunctional Netpoints

摘要

The formation of functionalized materials through non-covalent modification is an area of considerable scientific interest. One of the most prominent characteristics introduced through this process is the formation of liquid crystals from non-mesogenic precursors. A wide variety of mesogenic shapes (calamitic, discotic, banana-shaped and bowlic mesogens) and structures (small molecule, main-chain polymers, side-chain polymers and networks) have been synthesized. One key of the key features of these species is the rigidity of the molecule. This imparts the required shape for the formation of the mesogen. Species that typically grant this rigidity include the benzene, naphthalene, biphenyl species, conformationally-locked cyclohexanes and aromatic heterocycles.