SYNTHESIS AND LIQUID-CRYSTAL BEHAVIOR OF METAL-FREE AND METAL-CONTAINING PHTHALOCYANINES SUBSTITUTED WITH LONG-CHAIN AMIDE GROUPS

The synthesis and characterization (by optical microscopy, differentia l scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction) of two series of octa substituted lipophilic phthalocyanines 1-3 and 4-7, bearing amide func tions in the peripheral chains, are reported. Compounds 1-3, 6, and 7 exhibit a liquid-crystal phase, for which a hexagonal columnar structu re is proposed on the basis of the X-ray studies. The number of periph eral hydrocarbon chains and the possibility of hydrogen bonding is sho wn to have a critical influence on mesomorphism in these compounds.