The tail free discotic liquid crystal 1,2,3,4,7-pentrafluoro triphenylene: a study in structural variations

Discotic liquid crystals are disc shaped molecules that self assemble into long columns of cofacial molecules while still maintaining some liquid-like properties. They are typically formed by rigid aromatic molecular cores surrounded by a number of flexible tails. The tails play an important role, as they separate the columns and provide a source of entropy which inhibit crystallization. In this contribution, we describe a tail free discotic liquid crystal 1,2,3,4,7-pentafluorotriphenylene (7F-TFT). We will explore the nature of this tail free mesophase by comparing this compound with a number of closely related compounds based on tetrafluorotriphenylene. By varying the position and chemical species of the fifth substituent, we will see the effects that molecular structure have on this unusual mesogen.