2-{3,5-Bis-[5-(3,4-didodecyloxyphenyl)thien-2-yl]phenyl}-5-(3,4-didodecyloxyphenyl)thiophene

Star-shaped compounds are widely recognized as emerging materials for optical and electrical applications and as scaffolds of discotic liquid crystal. While the C3-symmetrical tri(phenylthienyl)benzene is the core for several electroopotical materials, no liquid crystal with this scaffold has yet been reported. Acid-catalyzed cyclocondensation of bromoacetylthiophene gives a C3-symmetrical star, threefold Suzuki coupling results in extension of the conjugated system. With 3,4-didodecylocyphenyl boronic acid, a star with a large rigid conjugated system and flexible aliphatic periphery is obtained. Differentials scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy reveal an enantiotropic mesophase from 66 °C to 106 °C