Synthesis, liquid crystalline self-assembly, organogel behavior, and DFT investigation of first phenolphthalein-based hexacatenar

ABSTRACTDifferent building blocks in organic molecules could induce complex intermolecular interactions to lead to different supramolecular micro/nanostructures in bulk and solution states. Herein, the first new phenolphthalein-based hexacatenar containing a central phenolphthalein fluorochrome functionalized with two dendritic wings is synthesized by click reaction. The polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle X-ray diffraction data demonstrated that the reported phenolphthalein-based hexacatenar could self-assemble into hexagonal columnar mesophase in the bulk state and could form organogel with distinct morphologies in some common organic solvents due to intermolecular interactions. Density functional theory calculation results showed highly twisted molecular conformation, distinct charge distribution, and asymmetrical electronic property, which might be essential for the stabilization of columnar mesophase and organogel. Therefore, this work provides a method to develop soft materials containing different functional building blocks with complex self-assemblies.KEYWORDS: Hexacatenarliquid crystalorganogelphenolphthalein AcknowledgmentsWe thank Professor Zhihong Li and beamline 1W2A at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF), China, for providing SAXS testing and data analysis.Disclosure StatementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Supplementary DataSupplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/1539445X.2023.2261430.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by China West Normal University Doctor Startup Fund [No. 412821], Major project funds of Chemical Synthesis and Pollution Control Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province [No. CSPC202101], The Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province [No. 2022NSFSC1237] and Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 22265030].