A synthetic methodology has been developed to yield a series of discotic, cholesteric liquid crystalline porphyrins. Synthesis of these moieties can be achieved via coupling cholesterol to the porphyrin center using odd-parity spacers. Efforts are currently focused on increasing yield by metalating the porphyrin starting material to increase reactivity. This has resulted in increased yield in the first step of the reaction. The sensor generated from this work could combine a liquid crystal's responsiveness to external stimuli and a porphyrin's ability to sense volatile organics yielding a flexible sensing system.

Synthesis of discotic liquid crystalline porphyrin precursors

245th National Meeting (2013)

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