Intermolecular organization of triphenylene-based discotic mesogens by interdigitation of alkyl chains

Two homologous series of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexa-alkyloxy-substituted triphenyle nes have been synthesized, such that alkyl chains of two different lengths alternate around the rigid triphenylene core in order to allow interdigitat ion of the chains between neighbouring columns in a hexagonal columnar meso phase. We report here the dependence of structural and thermal properties o n the extent of interdigitation, as investigated by X-ray diffraction, pola rized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.