Combining electron-rich with electron-poor aromatic molecules sometimes leads to the formation of face-to-face assembled Donor-Acceptor Columnar Liquid Crystals (DACLCs).  These materials exhibit properties, including light absorption, distinct from their component molecules.  In order to better understand the structure-property relationships in these interesting materials, a systematic series of aromatic derivatives was synthesized and mixed in modular fashion to form a variety of subtly differing DACLCs.  The bulk characteristics of these materials were studied, and the absorption characteristics related to DFT energy calculations of the component molecules.  The results reveal surprising variation in the absorption characteristics of the self-assembled DACLCs, with an intriguing level of correlation to component DFT calculations.

Tailored, predictable charge-transfer absorbance in modular
donor-acceptor columnar liquid crystals

241st National Meeting (2011)

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Tailored, predictable charge-transfer absorbance in modular donor-acceptor columnar liquid crystals