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Addressing fluorescence and liquid crystal behaviour in multi-mesogenic BODIPY materials

Benstead, Michael; Rosser, Geraldine A.; Beeby, Andrew; Mehl, Georg H.; Boyle, Ross W.

Authors

Michael Benstead

Geraldine A. Rosser

Andrew Beeby



Abstract

Two series of BODIPYs (4,4'-difluoro-3a, 4a-diaza-s-indacene) bearing mesogenic substituents have been synthesised and their fluorescent and self-assembly behaviour has been observed and characterised. In order to induce a strong preference for liquid crystallinity, two mesogenic units have been attached to each fluorophore. The compounds were prepared by microwave-assisted Suzuki couplings in moderate yields. Two different, but related, mesogens were employed but only one series was found to exhibit the formation of liquid crystal mesophases. Monotropic nematic phases, observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical polarising microscopy (OPM), were adopted over varying temperature ranges depending on the degree of alkyl substitution on the fluorophore. Increasing alkyl substitution caused a gradual increase in fluorescence quantum yield due to rotational restriction of the BODIPY 8-phenyl ring, however, this also disrupted the formation of the nematic phase causing a reduction in the temperature range over which the mesophase was exhibited. The large, branched structure of the compounds prepared caused them to have a high viscosity in both the nematic and isotropic liquid phase. Due to the high viscosity, the Schlieren texture of the nematic phase could only be observed after several hours annealing.

Citation

Benstead, M., Rosser, G. A., Beeby, A., Mehl, G. H., & Boyle, R. W. (2011). Addressing fluorescence and liquid crystal behaviour in multi-mesogenic BODIPY materials. New journal of chemistry = Nouveau journal de chimie, 35(7), 1410-1417. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0nj00990c

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 17, 2011
Online Publication Date Apr 13, 2011
Publication Date Jul 1, 2011
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
Print ISSN 1144-0546
Electronic ISSN 1369-9261
Publisher Royal Society of Chemistry
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 35
Issue 7
Pages 1410-1417
DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/c0nj00990c
Keywords Materials Chemistry; General Chemistry; Catalysis
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/405279