Liquid crystals derived from multi-cationic azamacrocyclic alkylsulphates

Two homologous series of azamacrocyclic n-alkylsulphates were synthesized and characterized. Their thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. At room temperature both series exhibited lamellar crystalline phases. For the tetraazacyclotetradecane alkylsulphate salts a highly ordered smectic phase was observed following their melting. The triazacyclododecane derivatives however melted into disordered smectic A phases, apparently due to the less symmetric polar group which does not favour in-layer organization. Extensive hydrogen bonding was observed in the crystalline phases of both series of compounds as well as above their melting into smectic phases, albeit rather weak in the case of the triaza derivatives.