SELF-ORGANIZATION OF A LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE METHACRYLATE-MONOFUNCTIONALIZED CROWN-ETHER COMPOUND IN LOW-SHRINKAGE ACRYLATE MIXTURES

Crystallization and supramolecular aggregation of 1,4,7,10-13-pentaoxa cyclopentadecane-2-ylmethyl yloxy]-5-(11-methacryloyloxyundecyl-1-oxy) benzoate (1) and its complexes with sodium triflate are described in s olutions of the methacrylate monomers. Formation of a gel was observed covering a rather wide concentration range in the pseudo-binary phase diagram. In the low concentration regime and at low temperatures, gel formation by elongated crystals of 1 was observed. It was demonstrate d that the formation of a crystalline network and he shape of the crys tals strongly depend on the cooling rate.