The influence of lithium perchlorate on discotic liquid crystals and the ion conduction of their mixtures

A C-3-symmetric trimesic amide derivative with peripheral oligo(ethylene ox ide) side chains (compound 1) shows discotic mesomorphism in a broad temper ature range due to stacking of the extended core (T-g similar to -50 degree s C; T-cl similar to 240 degrees C). Mixtures of 1 and lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) also exhibit liquid crystalline (LC) properties as shown by polari zation microscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction studies. An increase of the T- g as well as a decrease of the clearing temperature are observed with incre asing salt concentration. The ion conducting properties of the LiClO4 mixtu res of 1 have been measured by complex impedance spectroscopy: promising le vels of conductivity, up to 10(-6) S/cm at room temperature, have been reco rded.