Investigations into Supramolecular Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Based on 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxaramides by NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract

New supramolecular lyotropic liquid crystals (LLC) based on 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxamides (BTAs) with n-alkylaniline sidechains are described. Using NMR spectroscopy, we investigate the effects of different chain lengths along the homologous series and of non-BTA additives on liquid crystalline behaviour. From this, we attempt to answer two questions: First, how aliphatic chain length and the addition of further aromatic rings affect the self-assembly process in general and compared to previously reported systems with purely aliphatic sidechains. Second, whether these modifications are suitable to increases the resulting LLC phases’ resilience against disrupting effects of further, non-BTA additives.