Liquid crystalline properties in a series of disc-like compounds with two long alkyloxy chains attached to the core

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel series of anthraqui none-based discotic liquid crystals, viz. 1.5-dialkyloxy-2,3,6,7-tetrakis(b enzyloxy)anthra-9,10-quinones. To our knowledge, these are the first exampl es of discotic liquid crystals wherein only two, long flexible aliphatic ch ains are attached to the core. The rest of the four positions are substitut ed with bulky benzyloxy groups. Most of the compounds synthesized in this s eries are found to be liquid crystalline. They exhibit the typical texture of a columnar mesophase. Further. these compounds can serve as useful precu rsors for obtaining various unsymmetrical derivatives of 9,10-anthraquinone s.