Dumbbell-shaped molecules consisting of three biphenyls connected through vinyl linkages as a conjugated rod segment and aliphatic polyether dendritic wedges with different crosssections (i.e., dibranch (1), tetrabranch (2) and hexabranch (3)) were synthesized and characterized. The molecular dumbbells self-assemble into discrete bundles that organize into three-dimensional superlattices. Molecule 1, based on a dibranched dendritic wedge, organizes into primitive monoclinic-crystal-line and body-centered, tetragonal liquid crystalline structures, while molecules 2 and 3, based on tetra-and hexabranched dendritic wedges, respectively, form only body-centered, tetragonal liquid crystalline structures. X-ray diffraction experiments and density measurements showed that the rod-bun-dle cross-sectional area decreases with increasing cross-section of the dendritic wedges. The influences of supramolecular structure on the bulk-state optical properties were investigated by measuring the UV/Vis absorption and steady state fluorescence spectroscopies. As the cross-section of the dendritic wedge of the molecule increases, the absorption and emission maxima shift to higher energy. This can be attributed to a quantum size effect of the three-dimensionally confined nanostructure.