Unconventional liquid crystal oligomers with a hierarchical structure

Supermolecules composed of pre-organized mesogenic units have attracted much attention because they can form secondary and tertiary structures with unique physical properties. This Feature Article reviews recent progress in thermotropic supermolecular liquid-crystalline materials with a hierarchical structure. We take the concepts of molecular dynamics, electrostatic core-core interactions, hydrocarbon-fluorocarbon amphiphilicity and intramolecular chirality transfer, and apply them to the creation of new materials. The liquid crystal oligomers in which conventional mesogenic units are pre-organized in a classical shape can produce unusual phase structures and unique physical properties.