Molecular Actuation of a Bistable Liquid‐Crystalline [c2]Daisy Chain Rotaxane

Abstract

A bistable [c2]daisy chain rotaxane bearing two mesogenic units was synthesized, and its liquid crystal phase diagram was characterized. As a remarkable result, this study demonstrates that, depending on the contracted or extended state of its mechanical bond, the system can convert between an isotropic and a smectic A mesophase at constant temperature.

Design of ionic liquid crystals enabled by [2]rotaxane structure formation

“…However, very few syntheses of LC molecules with rotaxane structure have been reported. 46–48 In 2006, Kato and Stoddart first reported an LC [2]rotaxane based on a cationic ring and electron-rich axle with dendritic mesogenic stoppers. 16 Utilizing the dual roles of cations 24 in different research fields, Loeb and Eichhorn 49 reported [2]rotaxanes exhibiting thermotropic LC phases where a 1,2-bis(4,4′-bipyridinium)ethane 42 core with flexible tails at both ends was threaded through a dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) ring.…”